Task force eases travel requirements for stranded individuals

Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) will no longer be required to secure travel authority as the Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield on Tuesday eased some travel restrictions within Metro Manila and within provinces, as well as for indispensable travels like medical and family emergencies.

“Since we are now implementing General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified GCQ and also indispensable travels are similar to the case of the LSIs, then travels within National Capital Region and within the province shall be permitted without the Travel Authority,” JTF COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said.

LSIs are defined as “foreign nationals or Filipino citizens in a specific locality within the Philippines who have expressed intention to return to their place of residence/home origin.”

Eleazar said that travel authority will only be required if the travels are outside Metro Manila and outside their respective provinces, based on the instruction of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.

The process of securing travel authority was also simplified by delegating it to the local police commanders, according to Eleazar.

There are five police districts in Metro Manila: the Quezon City Police District; the Manila Police District; the Eastern Police District (San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasig and Marikina); the Northern Police District (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela); and Southern Police District (Taguig, Las Piñas, Makati, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Pinas and Pateros).

Travel Authority is now delegated to the chiefs of police for those in the province whose travel is to another province but within the region, Eleazar said.

Travels that require crossing the border of two regions shall require the authority of the Provincial Director. But for those in Metro Manila, the power is delegated to the District Director.

The Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield issued the following protocols for the issuance of travel authority for LSIs and for indispensable travels:

1. Chiefs of police of City and Municipal Police Stations have the authority to issue Travel Authority for travel outside the province but within the region;

2. District Directors, Provincial Directors and City Directors have the authority to issue Travel Authority for travels outside the regions;

3. Higher issuing Authorities like Police Regional Directors and the PNP Directorate for Operations can still issue Travel Authority.

The requirements for the issuance of the Travel Authority are as follows, according to Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield:

1. Certification from the Punong Barangay 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 Captain will serve as an endorsement to the City and Municipal Health Office to conduct medical examination

2. Medical Clearance Certificate from the City or Municipal Health Office

Eleazar added that only Medical Clearance Certificate is needed to secure a Travel Authority, and should be submitted to the Help Desks in the police stations.

The PNP still advised the public to avoid unnecessary travels, as Eleazar noted that that the threat of the fatal coronavirus infection is still high.

“Why do we have to go that far if those goods and services are also available in your communities? So we strongly advise our kababayan to avail those goods and services in their localities,” said Eleazar. —LDF, GMA News