Ilocos Sur governor Ryan Luis Singson will have to skip official functions for the next five days while on quarantine starting Thursday after reportedly coming in close-contact with another official who was COVID-19 positive.

Singson said he was exposed to Candon City Mark Jayson Itchon whom he administered his oath of office as city councilor Wednesday afternoon.

Unknown to Gov. Singson, Councilor Itchon skipped mandatory minimum DOH-prescribed isolation period and went to the Sangunniang Panlalawigan to swear before him as city councilor.

The governor detested Itchon’s “jump” from the isolation protocol saying, “as public official, he must be the first to follow health and safety guidelines and be an example for others.” But due to his negligence, Singson said of Itchon, “(it) resulted to a delay to vital government transactions as I have to undergo at least 5 days quarantine to male sure that I pose no risk to my family, employees of the provincial government, and national government agencies and fellow Ilocos Surians.”

Singson added that the incident with Itchon be a reminder for all “to act responsibly for the sale of others who rely on their hard work, time and effort to make a living for themselves and their families.”