Police defer to LGUs on new travel rules

MANILA. In this file photo, police officers instruct a driver as they implement stricter quarantine measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 at the border of Bulacan province and Caloocan City in August 2020. (File Photo)
MANILA. In this file photo, police officers instruct a driver as they implement stricter quarantine measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 at the border of Bulacan province and Caloocan City in August 2020. (File Photo)

A TOP Philippine National Police (PNP) official said they will defer to the local government units (LGUs) on the implementation of new guidelines on interzonal and intrazonal movement.

Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, PNP deputy chief for administration, noted that while the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has further relaxed travel restrictions, the LGUs were given a free hand to implement “reasonable regulations” in accepting incoming travelers.

Under its Resolution No. 79, the IATF allows persons not authorized outside of residences (non-Apor) to travel for any purpose between areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine subject to LGU regulations.

They may also travel for any purpose across areas with the same quarantine classification.

The same resolution allows those from 15 to 65 years old to step out of their homes.

As head of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Covid Shield, Eleazar ordered all police commanders on Monday, October 19, 2020, to properly coordinate with their respective LGUs.

Some LGUs have expressed concern over the IATF’s decision, but some have also immediately implemented the new travel rules to jumpstart their economy, especially the tourism industry.

“If an LGU would choose to defer the implementation, the ‘restricted policy’ would still be in effect wherein travelers would still need to secure a travel authority and other documents being asked by the concerned LGUs. But if an LGU would agree to the ‘unrestricted policy’, there is no more need for a travel authority even for non-essential travels,” Eleazar said in a statement.

“In the meantime, there would be a status quo on the implementation of the travel restrictions unless certain LGUs signify intention to immediately comply with the IATF’s ‘unrestricted policy’ on travel,” he added.

In Metro Manila, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año reported to President Rodrigo Duterte Monday evening that only those 18 to 65 years old will be allowed to go out instead of the 15 to 65 age range permitted by the IATF.

In a statement, the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) headed by Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco stressed the need to implement local quarantine rules in order to protect their respective constituents from potential coronavirus carriers that would enter their areas.

Velasco said they will comply with the order of the IATF in continuously receiving arriving overseas Filipino workers and locally stranded individuals provided that they have travel authority, medical clearance certificate and prior coordination between the point of origin LGUs and the receiving LGUs.

The JTF, which includes the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fire Protection, implements the IATF guidelines to prevent further transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph