IN RESPONSE to the request of punong barangays in Bacolod City for ample time to complete the distribution of home quarantine passes (HQPs), the local government moved the start of implementation of HQP system and Check-Up Points in the city to September 6, Sunday.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Wednesday, September 2, Executive Order (EO) 58-A, an order amending EO 58 by deferring the implementation of the Home Quarantine Pass System and Check-Up Points in the city to September 6, 2020 until September 19, 2020.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) braces to intensify its checkpoint operations in the city's boundaries in compliance with the EO 58 to establish the Bacolod City home quarantine pass (HQP) system and check-up points to regulate the movement of people within Bacolod City and the entry/exit of out-of-towners into the city as a means of stemming the local spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of BCPO, said policemen will be deployed to secure the city's outer boundaries along Bacolod-Talisay in Barangay Bata, Mansilingan going to Murcia, Araneta going to Bago City, Circumferential Road going to Silay Airport, and in boundary along Barangay Granada.
He said about 27 inner checkpoints were also placed in various barangays to check the HQPs.
Policemen were told to wear face mask, face shield, gloves and to bring alcohol and stick for the inspection of the HQP since they will impose the "no touch policy." They were also reminded to be courteous all the time in manning the border control.
Pico said the station commanders were also directed to monitor their personnel to ensure that they are doing their job and not using their cellular phones while on duty.
"This is not only a checkpoint operations, but policemen will also conduct a roving patrol within their areas of jurisdiction to ensure that those who are walking on streets have their HQPs," he added.
The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) will also deploy its personnel to various border control to maintain the smooth flow of traffic.
Pico said they will put priority lane for the frontliners, food delivery and emergency cases in the city's boundaries and other inner checkup points.
"Let's cooperate because this is for all of us, but if you want to violate the law, we will arrest the violator and will file the appropriate charges," he said.
Section 4 of the EO states that each household shall be issued an HQP primarily to one household member who is of competent age and discretion (at least 21 years old and above) but it may be passed on to a maximum of three (3) other qualified members of the same household whose names shall be duly written at the back portion of the HQP. Only one of these authorized holders shall be out of the household, at any given time, when using the HQP.
Household members who shall take turns in using the HQP at any given time shall carry it at all times while outside the household and present it, upon inspection, with a valid personal ID with picture.
The HQP cannot be used as a travel pass through other towns and cities outside of Bacolod City.
Any misuse or abuse in the use of the HQP shall be subject to prosecution under applicable laws. To regulate social distancing and limit the movements of people, the use of the HQP shall be on an odd-even scheme thus: HQP holders with HQP ending in the odd numbers -- 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 -- shall be permitted to leave their households and use the HQP on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
HQP holders with HQP ending in the even numbers -- 2, 4, 6, 8, 0 -- shall be permitted to leave their households on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
No HQP holders shall be permitted to leave their households on Sundays, in the same manner that no HQP shall be used on Sundays.
Social distancing shall be observed at all times by the HQP holders in any place of their use, the EO further stated.