Eleazar: No travel checkpoints within NCR-Plus bubble

MANILA, Philippines, March 24 ------ Residents of Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal will no longer undergo inspection for movement restriction at checkpoints within the National Capital Region or NCR-Plus bubble, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday night. PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said people are free to roam around for essential and non-essential travel as there would be no security checkpoints to hamper their trips within the bubble. Eleazar said there are no police checkpoints during daytime. He clarified in an interview with “The Chiefs” on One News/TV5 that there are no boundaries within the bubble.

Eleazar said checkpoints would still be in place to enforce the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and ensure public compliance with health protocols. “Checkpoints within the bubble are still necessary, particularly during curfew hours. Beyond curfew period, they can observe, caution or accost violators of health protocols but will no longer check motorists for movement restriction,” he said. This means that people can visit resorts in the four provinces such as Tagaytay City or Laguna, provided they follow the minimum health standards.

Eleazar said only immediate family members can visit tourist spots as mass gatherings are prohibited. During the Holy Week, people can visit religious sites but in a limited capacity. He also asked local government units (LGUs) in the four provinces in the bubble to align their public health safety ordinances with the LGUs in Metro Manila. Eleazar said there should be uniformity in the ordinances of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal with those being implemented in Metro Manila to avoid confusing the public.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said while the NCR and four nearby provinces are under general community quarantine, the ordinances passed by the LGUs in these areas would serve as basis in apprehending quarantine violators. Guevarra said Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting on Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act still applies in these areas. Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian said there is no need for a police checkpoint between his city and Meycauayan as Metro Manila and Bulacan are in one bubble. Gatchalian said the implementation of the checkpoint was “half-baked.”

Source: philstar.com