By Genalyn Kabiling
The transport of food and other cargoes must be unimpeded despite the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, according to the government task force overseeing efforts to combat the coronavirus threat.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Photo from Karlo Nograles / Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The interagency task force on the management of emerging infectious diseases has directed the police to ensure the unhampered movement of all forms of cargoes at quarantine checkpoints in Luzon.
The latest guideline was issued after some trucks reportedly had difficulty delivering agriculture products to Metro Manila and other areas due to traffic congestion at the police checkpoints.
"The Philippine National Police is instructed to allow the unimpeded movement of all types of cargos subject to its authority to conduct inspection, procedures in checkpoints for the purpose of ensuring that protocols on strict home quarantine are observed," according to the operational guidelines read by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles during a Palace press conference late Tuesday night.
The task force has also adopted the memorandum circular issued by the Department of Agriculture on the food transport protocols.
According to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, cargo trucks must be allowed to cross borders even if they are coming from areas under lockdown. He said separate lanes may be established for the food and cargo trucks on national roads.
Lopez, in the same press briefing, said he received reports that some trucks were prevented from moving their cargo to Metro Manila and other places amid the intensified quarantine measures.
"Yung cargo unimpeded, unhampered. Pag galing siya sa ibang probinsya, kahit may quarantine o lockdown doon, dapat unimpeded pa rin (Cargos must be unimpeded, unhampered. If they are coming from a province under quarantine or lockdown, they should still be unimpeded)," he said.
He said the transport of cargo supplies should not be stopped although random inspections may still be conducted by authorities at checkpoints.
"Napaka-importante ng isang polisiya lamang at lalo na sa cargo, na wala nang pipigil pa sa cargo. Ganon po usapan with the military and the PNP (It is important to have one policy on cargo. No one will stop cargoes. That's what we discussed with the military and the PNP)," he said.
"Yung may mabilis na inspection, ihiwalay 'yung lane. Puwede random checking na rin para mabilis ang flow niyan (There should be swift inspection, a separate lane. Random checks may be conducted to hasten the flow of goods)," he added.
President Duterte has imposed enhanced community quarantine in Luzon that compels residents to observe strict home quarantine until April 12. Public transport has been suspended while business is encouraged to allow workers to work from home.
The movement of cargoes within, to, and from the entire Luzon, however, shall be unhampered even as the island is under enhanced quarantine. Public markets, drug stores, banks, power, water and telecommunication facilities are among the establishments that have been allowed to stay open.