CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–To contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 and easy contact tracing, the Philippine National Police (PNP)-10 still requires travelers to obtain travel authority every time they travel to other provinces or regions.
During the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force, June 5, PLtCol Mardy Hortillosa, spokesperson of PNP-10, said travel authority is still required for travels to another province, or other region for indispensable travel and locally stranded individuals (LSI).
Exempted from obtaining travel authority include workers and other people listed as Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR).
Travel within the region or a province shall be permitted without a travel authority for indispensable travel such as family or medical emergency, and for humanitarian reason, along with LSIs. Thus, there will be no more coordination needed for local government unit (LGU)-destination both for indispensable travel and LSI.
Moreover, travel authority must be secured for non-essential travel whether traveling from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to Modified GCQ areas and vice versa as well as travelling from one province to another province or region to another region.
Travel authority shall be issued with the certification from the barangay chair noting that the person who wants to travel has not developed any COVID-19 symptoms at least 14 days before the travel request.
The certification from the barangay chair will serve as endorsement to the city/municipal health office to conduct medical examinations.
Hortillosa added that a medical clearance certificate from the city or municipal health office is needed to secure a travel order.
Once secured, the travel authority could be obtained through securing a medical clearance certificate, which could be submitted to the barangay chair, who in turn, would facilitate the processing and such includes coordination with the LGU or destination.
Another way is for the person to secure a medical clearance certificate that could be submitted to the help desk of the municipal/city police station.
Personnel of the help desk, under the authority of the chief of police (COP), will be in charge of the processing which includes coordination with the LGU of destination through the local police station.
Medical clearance certificates issued by the Department of Health (DOH) accredited hospitals may also be considered.
For travels between provinces within the region, COPs are authorized to sign the travel authority in a delegated authority on behalf of the PD
Travel between regions, PDs/DDs/CDs are authorized to sign the TA in a delegated authority on behalf of the regional director. Higher issuing authorities can still issue the travel authority.
All those who travel without the necessary travel authority will be barred from passing the PNP or Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-manned Quarantine Control Points (QCPs).
Personnel manning the checkpoints are urged to exercise maximum tolerance in the implementation of quarantine rules.
“Kung ipagawas na tanan (If we allow all people to go out) then this may negate our accomplishments sa atong nasud nga dili ana ka paspas ang pagdaghan sa COVID-19 (in our country where the spread of COVID-19 will not be that fast). We should ensure nga magpadayon lang gihapon ang atong lakang (to continue our measures) to contain the spread of the virus,” Hortillosa said. (RTP/PIA10)
