With the quarantine control points (QCP) placed at strategic points in the National Capital Region (NCR)-plus areas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced Sunday, August 1, the list of individuals who are allowed to go out of their homes as stated in the Inter-Agency Task Force's (IATF) omnibus guidelines.
DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said those considered as authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) include health and emergency frontline services and uniformed personnel, government officials and employees on official travel, duly-authorized relief and humanitarian assistance actors, persons travelling for medical or humanitarian reasons, persons going to and from the airport, anyone crossing zones for work in permitted industries, and public utility vehicle operators.
He noted that the APORs shall present to police authorities manning the QCPs any of the following identification when traveling: IATF identification cards (IDs) issued by regulatory agencies, valid IDs or pertinent documentation issued by establishments allowed to operate under the current quarantine classification, and other proof that their purpose of travel is allowed.
The DILG spokesperson also reminded the PNP to allow the free movement of cargo/delivery vehicles across all quarantine control points to maintain the stability of the economy.
“Secretary (Eduardo) Año has instructed all QCPs to allow the unimpeded movement of cargo trucks and delivery vehicles especially those carrying food items across all our checkpoints,” Malaya said.
On July 31, the DILG announced that the NCR- plus travel bubble starts on August 1 in compliance with IATF Resolution No. 130-A, which placed added and heightened restrictions in Metro Manila and four other provinces before it is placed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on August 6.
Año said that the QCP manned by combined elements of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)will be placed at the borders of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite with adjoining provinces.
“As per the IATF Resolution, only Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) shall be allowed to enter and leave the NCR Plus area,” Año said.
The DILG chief clarified that no QCPs will be installed inside the NCR-plus area which groups Metro Manila with Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite.
“At the moment, the QCPs are at the borders of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite with adjoining provinces but once we move to ECQ starting August 6, checkpoints will now be located inside Metro Manila,” he added.
He revealed that the QCPs are located at the borders of Bulacan with Pampanga and Nueva Ecija, Rizal with Quezon, Laguna with Batangas and Quezon and Cavite with Batangas.
"Nonetheless, the PNP may still install regular checkpoints inside the NCR-plus bubble to implement curfew hours, enforce minimum health standards, and for general law enforcement.," año added.
The DILG said that those who will be found to be unauthorized persons outside of residence (UPOR) will not be allowed to pass and will be asked to return to their homes.
“The implementation of strict border controls for people entering and leaving the NCR Plus bubble is critical to stopping the spread of the Delta variant,” said Año.
He also ordered the PNP to strictly implement health protocols strictly but in accordance tl the rule of law and the rules of engagement.