MALAYBALAY CITY (12 May 2021) – The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Valencia has prohibited non-essential group travel, outings, leisure trips, and group excursions among city government and barangay officials, functionaries, personnel, and Job Order (JO) workers.

Mayor Azucena P. Huervas has issued executive order no. 105, series of 2021 on May 11 for the purpose. The order took effect starting May 12 and will end on the last day of this month and may be extended or revoked by the local chief executive.

The Mayor cited the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the city, posing danger to the community.

Huervas said Covid-19 cases in Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Davao City, and other neighboring towns and cities are also increasing with new variants having been detected in some areas.

The order said ‘some barangay officials together with barangay functionaries and personnel have been traveling together in groups to other high-risk areas for non-essential group travel, outings, leisure trips, and group excursions thereby increasing the risk of Covid-19 transmission.’

However, official and work-related travels conducted for the purpose of performing an urgent or necessary task, duty, work assignment, meeting, or responsibility are permitted in the exigency of service.

City Government or Barangay officials, functionaries, or employees may take private trips or health breaks only with their respective households in low-risk areas and subject to strict compliance with all health protocols, travel requirements, and safety standards.

Concerned officials and employees who are found to have deliberately violated the provisions of the order shall face appropriate disciplinary action and or administrative sanctions subject to due process.

As of May 11, Valencia has 819 total confirmed positive cases of Covid-19 with 723 recoveries, 78 active cases, and 18 deaths.