THE provincial government of Bulacan started to enforce stricter border control to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the province.
Taking charge in enforcing the border control is the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO).
Aside from Bulacan, the provinces of Rizal, Cavite and Laguna were also placed under a more restrictive Alert Level 3 from January 3-15.
On Thursday, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has raised Alert Level 3 in 14 other cities and provinces due to the alarming increase in the number of COVID-19 cases over the past days, according to Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles.
Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando has ordered PCol. Manuel Lukban, Acting Provincial Director of the Bulacan PNP to immediately put in place stricter border control points along the boundaries of Bulacan particularly at the entry points coming from the National Capital Region (NCR).
“Inatasan na natin ang kapulisan pati na ang mga LGUs para maghigpit hindi lamang sa mga checkpoints pati na rin sa mahigpit na implementasyon ng health protocol para sa seguridad at kaligtasan ng lahat,” Fernando said.
Lukban said that a total of 112 police officers and force multipliers were deployed to man the 24 quarantine control points, 17 for provincial boundaries (Bulacan-Manila, Bulacan-Pampanga, and Bulacan-Nueva Ecija) and 7 for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) exit.
He added that all control points and police visibility have been heightened province-wide in response to the government-imposed stringent enforcement of Alert level 3 in Bulacan to curb the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Among the border Quarantine Control Points (QCP) are located in Brgy. San Roque Rd., Baliuag, (Candaba, Pampanga Boundary), Brgy. Tilapayong, Baliwag, (Apalit, Pampanga Boundary), Barangay Gatbuca, Calumpit, (Calumpit-Apalit, Pampanga Boundary), Shelterville, Brgy. Loma De Gato, Marilao, (Phase 10 Brgy Bagong Silang Caloocan City), Brgy. Bagbaguin, Meycauayan, (Road Closed-Valezuela Boundary), Brgy. Bahay Pare, Meycauayan (Caloocan Boundary), along Mcarthur Highway, Brgy. Bancal, Meycauayan, Brgy. Lawa, Meycauayan, Bulacan (Valenzuela Boundary), Brgy. Catanghalan, Obando, Brgy. Panghulo, Obando, Brgy Bulualto, San Miguel, (Provincial Boundary of San Miguel to Gapan, Nueva Ecija), Brgy. Dagat-Dagatan, San Rafael (San Rafael-Candaba, Pampanga Boundary), Brgy. Pansumaloc, San Rafael (San Rafael-Candaba, Pampanga Boundary), Brgy Batasan Bata, San Miguel, Bulacan (Provincial Boundary of San Miguel to Candaba, Pampanga), Dela Costa Homes, SJDM, Bulacan (Phase 7 Brgy. Bagong Silang, Caloocan City), Evergreen Heights, SJDM (Phase 10, Brgy Bagong Silang Caloocan City) and Sapang Alat, Brgy. San Miguel, SJDM (Brgy. Malaria, Caloocan City).
The control points along the NLEX are northbound exit in Barangay Turo, Bocaue; NLEX Philippine Arena Barangay Igulot, Bocaue; NLEX northbound exit in Barangay Tambubong, Bocaue; NLEX exit bound in Barangay Sta Rita Guiguinto; NLEX southbound in Barangay Patubig, Marilao; NLEX toll exit southbound in Barangay Malhacan, Meycauayan City; and Pulilan Exit, South Bound, Brgy. Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan.Only those providing basic services, essential needs, necessary items, utilities, and other authorized personnel are permitted to enter and exit the province’s borders. Lukban said travelers entering Metro Manila are being checked regarding their proof of vaccination.
He urged the public to continue strict adherence to all protocols and minimum public health standards, all of which are essential to safeguard public health and safety and to prevent the Omicron variant from spreading in the province and the country.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Police Regional Office 3)