Strict checkpoints between provinces despite MGCQ, GCQ: DILG

FILE: Personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of Dasmariñas City strictly check persons roaming around and passing through the checkpoint near the boundary of Imus and Dasmariñas in Cavite to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Monday (March 30, 2020). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – The strict implementation of checkpoints in borders of provinces will remain despite the easing of community restrictions next month, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday.

“In between borders ng probinsiya, medyo mahigpit yan (Checkpoints between borders of provinces would be strict),” Año said in a radio interview.

People who will travel to provinces for non-work purposes would still be required to obtain a travel pass, he said.

Help desks have been set up in local government units (LGUs) and police stations to disseminate information regarding the travel pass policy, Año said, adding that LGUs would also provide the medical certificate that is required to get a travel pass.

Meanwhile, workers only have to show their company IDs or certificates of employment in checkpoints.

He added that checkpoints have been furnished with a list of industries that are allowed to operate.

“‘Yung mga nagtatrabaho and are crossing boundaries, ang kailangan lang naman nila diyan yung company ID, proof of work. Kung walang ID ay certificate of employment, kung sino yung employer. I-o-honor naman ‘yan at more or less, itong mga karatig-probinsya ng Metro Manila, nakapagplano na rin ang mga pulis natin sa mga pagma-man ng checkpoint. ‘Yung checkpoint naman natin, mag-adjust ‘yan (Those who are crossing borders for work need to present their company ID, proof of work. If they do not have an ID, they could present a certificate of employment showing the name of their employer.

That will be honored. More or less, the neighboring provinces of Metro Manila, our police officers have already planned in manning the checkpoints. Adjustments will be made),” he said.

In a televised meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Thursday night, Año reported to President Rodrigo Duterte that checkpoints in Metro Manila and other urban areas nationwide would be modified to ease traffic congestion, as more vehicles are expected to ply the roads with the partial resumption of business operations.

Starting June 1, Metro Manila, Davao City, the regions of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, as well as the provinces of Pangasinan and Albay will shift to general community quarantine while the rest of the country will be under a modified general community quarantine.

Duterte said the government needs to continue the imposition of strict quarantine measures to ensure the Filipinos’ protection against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).