That is the question that surfaces after a coronavirus disease (Covid) positive authorized person outside residence (APOR) was reported to be from Baclayon, but was originally registered in Tagbilaran.

As this developed, Baclayon mayor Benecio Uy reveals that the focal person from the local government unit (LGU) of Baclayon was never informed about the arrival of an APOR who tested positive for Covid.

The Covid-positive status of this Baclayanon was revealed by the provincial government on August 30, 2020 in a statement from Gov. Arthur Yap. 

Mayor Uy made the revelation in a radio interview over “Newsmakers ug Uban Pa” on Monday, August 31, 2020, hosted by Ardy Batoy and Gloria Araneta.

Gov. Yap, through Kevin Damalerio, reported that an APOR from Baclayon tested positive for Covid.

However, during the interview with Mayor Uy, it was learned that the APOR originally registered as a resident of Tagbilaran and when the APOR was brought to the hospital due to Covid symptoms, he was registered as a resident of Baclayon.

The mayor said that despite what happened, local government unit (LGU)Baclayon is still recognizing the APOR as someone from Baclayon town. The mayor said he knows the person and even knows the location of the house of the person in Baclayon. 

Moreover, Uy said that the APOR may have a home in the city, and for this reason he may have opted to register originally as a city resident. The mayor said that he does not know, whether or not, the APOR has a house in the city.

According to The Bohol Tribune sources, the APOR was placed under quarantine in a hotel located in the city and reportedly endorsed to the hotel by city authorities and not by personnel from LGU Baclayon.

In the same interview, Uy refused to put blame on LGU Tagbilaran as the APOR opted to register as a city resident, reportedly with a home located in barangay Taloto.  Uy said the LGU Tagbilaran may have believed the declaration of the APOR that he is a city resident.

The mayor urged the APOR and the locally stranded individuals (LSI) to tell the truth about where they are from especially when they register to be accepted by the LGU to prevent a similar incident in the future.

Uy also said that the APOR may have opted to register in the city since the latter is the one paying for his quarantine accommodations. The mayor said that Baclayon has no accredited hotel and can only offer the quarantine facilities located in the town.

He cited as an example some personnel from a telephone company tasked to install fiber optics in the town. The personnel were supposed to stay under quarantine in Baclayon but was advised to seek another facility, which is a hotel in Panglao as they were paying for their accommodation.

CITY’S REPLY

City Administrator Cathelyn Torremocha said the person who is now a Covid patient, has a mission order and thus classified as an APOR. 

Torremocha said that the city considered the person as an APOR as he will be conducting business in the city and will mingle with city residents.

The city administrator said that it was unfortunate that the APOR did not fully disclose all of his addresses in Bohol.

Furthermore, there was a failure during the interview by the focal person with the APOR to verify the addresses.

She said that moving forward, the city authorities will be more careful in verifying the addresses of the people arriving in Bohol as APOR, LSI or overseas Filipino worker.