By Patrick de Jesus
With the implementation again of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, many residents are wondering if they need to present a quarantine pass when they go outside their homes to buy essential needs.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said it is up to the different local government units (LGUs) to set their guidelines on this.
“Ang naging diskusyon po kasi diyan since sandali lang naman itong ECQ period natin, ay baka hindi na kakailanganin, but subject to the discretion of LGUs, ay baka po kakailanganin na magkaroon ng quarantine passes,” Usec. Malaya explained at the Laging Handa public briefing aired over PTV today.
[Our discussion about that was because this ECQ period is short, (the passes) won’t be needed, but subject to the discretion of LGUs, the passes might be required.]
“Depende po sa sitwasyon ng isang lugar. Kung nakikita po ng mayor na mayroong pagkukumpul-kumpulan, at hindi makontrol ang pagsisikip ng mga tao sa mga pamilihan, for example, nasa kamay na po ng lokal na pamahalaan kung mag-require sila ng quarantine pass,” he added.
[It depends on the situation in a particular place. If the mayor sees people congregating, and they cannot control crowding in the markets, for example, it’s in the hands of the local government if they will require the quarantine passes.]
The DILG official also said that residents can use their old quarantine passes, but they might need to re-validate it with their respective barangays.
“Kung ang quarantine pass noong nakaraang taon ay luma na o hindi niyo na mahanap, kailangan niyo pong pumunta sa inyong barangay para sa bagong quarantine pass,” Malaya said.
[If your quarantine passes from last year are worn out or can’t be found, you need to go to your barangay for a new quarantine pass.]
The City of Manila has implemented an odd-even scheme where residents can use their quarantine passes on a designated schedule. Other cities in Metro Manila have also reimposed the use of quarantine passes, including San Juan, Quezon City, and Caloocan.
Meanwhile, the DILG is encouraging LGUs to distribute food or cash assistance to their constituents during the one-week ECQ period.
Malaya gave the assurance that the national government will provide another kind of assistance for those affected by the ECQ.
“Kung magkano po ito at kung sino ang makatatanggap, I think the announcements will be made individually by the district mayors, at magkakaroon din po ng anunsyo ang [Department of Budget and Management] DBM, and I would presume [Department of Social Welfare and Development ] DSWD para sa ayuda mula sa national government,” Malaya said.
[Regarding how much this will be and who will receive it, I think the announcements will be made individually by the district mayors, and there will also be announcements from DBM, and I presume DSWD, for the assistance from the national government.]
