The IPASS Cebu Office Reopening

(Estimated reading time: 4 minutes)

IPASS Cebu Office Branch will be reopening its doors in full swing on July 08, 2022. We will be accepting walk-in applicants and face-to-face free assessments. Yes, you heard it right— FREE Assessment. 

The Start of the Pandemic

On March 8, 2020, President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Presidential Proclamation No. 922, which placed them under a State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already characterized the CoronaVirus Disease 2019 (Covid – 19) as a pandemic. 

Last March 16, 2020, PRRD declared the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines through Proclamation No. 929. Moreover, Edgardo C. Labella, City Mayor of Cebu City, placed Cebu city under a State of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). It was effective at noon on March 28, 2020, until April 28, 2020, or unless sooner lifted or withdrawn. 

The Management of Emerging Infectious Disease of the Inter-Agency Task Force (MEID- IATF) issued Resolution No. 12 S. 2020, a State of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), wherein all households must comply with the mandatory strict home quarantine. Additionally, transportation was suspended, food and essential health services were regulated, and there was a heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures. 

Under the declaration of ECQ, all residents must obey, follow, and abide strictly by the following policies. These guidelines include Mandatory Stay at Home Order, Non-Disruption of Government Work, and Closure of Business, including IPASS Processing. For more information, please refer to Executive Order No. 064 Series of 2020, An Order Declaring the City of Cebu Under a State of Enhancing Community Quarantine.

Effects of the Pandemic

When Covid-19 was declared a pandemic, businesses had to temporarily suspend operations, such as IPASS, to help mitigate the increase of Covid cases. As a result, only the companies under the essential classification worked and operated. However, they must adhere to the minimum health protocols, such as observing social distancing and wearing face masks.

Years passed, and it’s still challenging for local governmental agencies to fully reopen businesses without restrictions. It is because of the varying levels of lockdown and the continuous spread of the Covid-19 variants.

As a law-abiding organization, the IPASS Cebu office also did not operate for the whole duration of the ECQ. That is to ensure the safety and welfare of our employees, who are our primary concern. Additionally, the IPASS Cebu office closed its doors for about two (2) years due to the massive impact of the pandemic. However, our employees are still working at home to continuously provide outstanding service and assistance to our beloved clients. 

IPASS Cebu Office Reopening

Now, the Cebu branch is on the green light to start and reopen our doors to our clients. IPASS Cebu office is located at Doña Luisa Building, Room 307, 3rd Floor, fronting Fuente Osmeña Circle, Cebu City. 

Under the new Inter-Agency Task Force classification scheme, Cebu City is under alert level 2. This means private companies and other services can now operate again. Based on the IATF guidelines, such establishments are permitted at 50% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years old. 

It is further subject to the condition that all workers and employees of these establishments are fully-vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, they must strictly meet the minimum public health requirements. 

Tri-Cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu will remain under Alert Level 1 until June 15, 2022, while Alert Level 2 will cover the rest of Cebu.

Final Thoughts

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID or IATF) released the new classification on Friday, May 27, 2022, placing at least 88 areas under Alert Level 1. It means that Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City can enjoy relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. However, the towns and cities in Cebu Province will have minimal regulations under Alert Level 2.

However, regardless of the Alert Level status, Cebu Island has primarily implemented a one-island policy, permitting only minor differences in the towns and cities on the island. Moreover, the local government unit’s (LGU) vaccination achievement also impacts the Alert Level status, which emphasizes vaccination for senior citizens, causing the disparity in the alert level status in the LGUs.

All Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can now enter the Province of Cebu starting January 04, 2022, provided they undergo a five (5) days quarantine period as prescribed by applicable IATF-MEID resolutions. 

What are you waiting for? Visit our IPASS website or come directly to our IPASS Cebu Branch located at Doña Luisa Building, Room 307, 3rd Floor, fronting Fuente Osmeña Circle, Cebu City. You may also contact our Cebu branch office via our landline at (032) 232-1351. The office is open from Mondays-Fridays from 9 AM until 5 PM.