Firm Announcement – Enhanced Community Quarantine extended until 15 May 2020 throughout Metro Manila and other provinces; General Community Quarantine in low to moderate risk areas

To our valued colleagues and friends, the Philippine Government has further extended the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) over Metro Manila and other provinces of the Philippines considered as high risk areas until 15 May 2020.  The initial extension of the ECQ was supposed to end on 30 April 2020 but another extension was deemed necessary to further contain the COVID-19 infection. 
 
The ECQ will also be maintained in the following provinces: Benguet, Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Albay, and Catanduanes, Davao del Norte, and Davao City.
 
However, places where there is low or moderate risks for COVID-19 will now be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ).  The moderate-risk areas are: Abra, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Marinduque, Camarines Sur, Aklan, Capiz, Samar, Western Samar, Zamboanga Del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur.
 
The low-risk areas are: Apayao, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Ilocos Sur, Batanes, Quirino, Aurora, Palawan, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Masbate, Guimaras, Bohol, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Davao Occidental, Sarangani, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Basilan and Sulu.
 
The government is still evaluating whether the other provinces shall be placed under ECQ or GCQ.
 
A GCQ limits people’s movements to accessing basic necessities. Work in some predetermined industries can resume with limited work force. Public Transportation may also resume in limited capacity.  Uniformed personnel and quarantine personnel will still be present at border points during the GCQ. Meanwhile, an ECQ requires strict home quarantine in all households, suspension of transportation, regulation of food and essential health services, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel enforcing quarantine protocols.
 
For the entire duration of the ECQ, all Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) controlled ports shall remain open FOR CARGO OPERATIONS subject to the requirements of the Bureau of Quarantine and the Department of Health.
 
Considering the recent pronouncement of the government, we do foresee that various government agencies (NLRC, NCMB, courts) will further adjust their initial guidelines on the implementation of the ECQ/GCQ.
 
While our physical offices will remain closed for the duration of the extended ECQ, work from home arrangements have been adopted by Del Rosario & Del Rosario as well as Del Rosario Pandiphil and we shall continue to assist remotely through calls and emails. We again thank everyone for their continued support and understanding during this extraordinary time.

Areas of Specialization: Shipping, Labour, Transport, Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Insurance, Immigration, Litigation, Arbitration, Intellectual Property
 
2018 AsiaLaw Profiles: Outstanding in Shipping, Maritime & Aviation; Recommended in Dispute Resolution & Litigation, Intellectual Property, Labour & Employment

“Del Rosario & Del Rosario has the strongest shipping practice in the Philippines. They definitely deserves the top ranking.” AsiaLaw Profiles 2018

“We rely on them when there’s a problem. We can trust them. And they can deliver the service required.” The Legal 500 2018

“For almost four decades, DelRosarioLaw has led in the shipping and transport practice in the Philippines by assisting stakeholders in fostering institutional changes to ensure the continued viability of the local shipping and manning sectors. This enduring reputation has made the firm’s opinion in major maritime policies of the country most sought after.” Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018

Del Rosario & Del Rosario, a four-decades-old firm, is considered to be among the top shipping and maritime practices in the country. It has also built a formidable reputation in insurance and reinsurance, and has more than 30 lawyers, including 10 partners.” The Philippines Law Firm Awards 2018.