IN compliance with IATF Resolution No. 130-A, which placed added and heightened restrictions in the National Capital Region Plus area, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that the NCR Plus travel bubble starts today before the area is placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) starting August 6.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said that Quarantine Control Points (QCP) manned by combined elements of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fire Protection will be placed at the borders of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite with adjoining provinces.
“As per the IATF Resolution, only Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) shall be allowed to enter and leave the NCR Plus area,” he said.
However, Sec. Año clarified that no QCPs will be installed inside the NCR Plus area, which groups Metro Manila with Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite.
“At the moment, the QCPs are at the borders of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite with adjoining provinces but once we move to ECQ starting August 6, checkpoints will now be located inside Metro Manila,” he said.
He said that the QCPs are located at the borders of Bulacan with Pampanga and Nueva Ecija, Rizal with Quezon, Laguna with Batangas and Quezon, and Cavite with Batangas.
The DILG Secretary said that nonetheless. the PNP may still install regular checkpoints inside the NCR Plus bubble to implement curfew hours, enforce minimum health standards, and for general law enforcement.
DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said those considered APOR shall present to police authorities manning the QCPs any of the following: 1) IATF IDs issued by regulatory agencies; or 2) valid IDs or pertinent documentation issued by establishments allowed to operate under the current quarantine classification; 3) other proof or evidence that purpose of travel is allowed.
He said that the following are considered APOR under the Omnibus Guidelines:
1. Health and emergency frontline services and uniformed personnel;
2. Government officials and employees on official travel;
3. Duly-authorized relief and humanitarian assistance actors;
4. Persons travelling for medical or humanitarian reasons;
5. Persons going to and from the airport;
6. Anyone crossing zones for work in permitted industries;
7. Public utility vehicle operators.
He also reminded the PNP to allow the free movement of cargo/delivery vehicles across all quarantine control points because these are important to the economy.
“Secretary Año has instructed all QCPs to allow the unimpeded movement of cargo trucks and delivery vehicles especially those carrying food items across all our checkpoints,” he said.
The DILG earlier said that those found to be un-authorized person outside of residence (UPOR) will not be allowed to pass and will be asked to return to their homes.
“The implementation of strict border controls for people entering and leaving the NCR Plus bubble is critical to stopping the spread of the Delta variant,” said Año.
The DILG Secretary told the PNP to implement health protocols strictly and without let-up but always observing the rule of law and the rules of engagement.