By NG Seruela
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded the public that only authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) will be allowed to go outside as the National Capital Region (NCR) is again placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting on Aug. 6.
In today’s (Aug. 2) Laging Handa public briefing, DILG Spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said they will limit the outside movement of the public and authorities will strictly implement checkpoints.
“The general rule is ‘yung paggalaw po ng mga tao ay lilimitahan natin at ‘yung paglabas nila ay to access essential goods and services or sila po ay nagtatrabaho sa mga negosyong pinapahintulutan nating mag-operate during the ECQ or activities na pinapayagan,” he said.
Usec. Malaya said Metro Manila and other areas under ECQ will have quarantine control points and law enforcement checkpoints. However, only law enforcement checkpoints are present in the NCR.
“Sa ngayon po, ang checkpoints sa Metro Manila ay law enforcement checkpoints pa lamang. Ang purpose po niyan ay masiguro ang social distancing at kung may curfew po — at ‘yan po ang tungkulin ng checkpoints natin.”
He added that the APORs must present proof in checkpoints that prove they are allowed to go outside amid the ECQ.
Malaya assured that the department is preparing steps to prevent heavy traffic in checkpoints such as a separate checkpoint for motorcycles and cars.
The DILG Spokesperson bared that 1,972 National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) personnel are currently deployed in Metro Manila.
“Sa ngayon po ay mayroon na tayong 1,972 personnel sa NCRPO na naka-deploy dito sa Metro Manila. Karamihan po diyan ay law enforcement checkpoints ang kanilang ginagawa,” he said.
He added that the number of police officers deployed in checkpoints in the metro may increase over 2,000 once the ECQ is in effect.
“Baka po umabot sa limang libo ang mga kapulisan na [made-deploy sa] iba’t-ibang checkpoints sa NCR Plus area,” he added.
Meanwhile, Malaya disclosed that the department has been advised by the local government units (LGUs) in reimposing quarantine passes.
“Naabisuhan na po ang DILG ng mga LGUs na ibabalik nga po nila ang quarantine passes para maging maayos ang paglabas ng ating mga kababayan para magpabakuna, bumili ng pagkain, o pumunta ng pharmacy.”
“The general rule is stay home unless you will access food or medicine or other essential services,” Malaya reminded.– rir
