Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Wednesday issued an executive order imposing travel restrictions into the province through the provincial borders of Capiz, Antique and Negros Occidental.

From July 1 to 15, the restriction of travel will take effect except for government officials, health personnel and persons traveling for humanitarian purposes as mandated by Executive Order 128-E, an amendment of the governor’s order on enforcing the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in the province.

Exemptions also apply to persons granted passage to the airport for travel abroad provided that the travel within the province shall be non-stop from the border to the airport or vice versa; overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning to the province as organized by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; and residents of this city and Guimaras traveling in and out of the province.

The governor said persons covered by the exemptions shall enter the province upon prior coordination and clearance from the provincial government.

Meanwhile, residents of the province, this city, and the province of Guimaras who are not locally stranded individuals (LSIs) coming from outside of Panay and Negros Occidental are given until July 3 to enter the Iloilo provincial border.

They shall be required proof of residency before they gain entry to the province, the governor said.

Persons who fail to enter the province before the date given by Defensor “shall be considered LSIs under Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Operations National Headquarters Memorandum.”

Once Iloilo residents failed to return until July 3, they will be required to have a medical certification from their local government unit of origin; travel authority from the police; and are required to have prior coordination and clearance from the provincial and concerned municipal governments.

Defensor also ordered common road, aviation, and maritime carriers to advise persons intending to travel into the province about the restrictions.

Common carriers are also enjoined to “refuse issuance of any public contract or ticket” and to “refuse boarding on any public transport.”

Last March 18, Iloilo has begun implementing strict border restrictions.

The going in and out of people were restricted at the border checkpoints located at Tiolas village, San Joaquin town, which separates Iloilo and Antique provinces, and in the boundaries of Iloilo and Capiz provinces — in Matilbog Centro village, Calinog; Aglalana village, Passi City; Poblacion, San Rafael; and Kinalkalan village, Banate.

The order restrictions loosened up and the flow of people was unhampered when the province shifted to MGCQ last June 1.

Based on the record of the Department of Health 6 on Wednesday, the province has 38 total confirmed Covid-19 cases. The data shows 36 of the repatriated OFWs and LSIs from the province also tested positive for the disease. (PNA)