The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lamented as “additional burden” the ban by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of the "hatid-sundo" (transport back and forth) of authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo T. Eleazar has thumbed down the "hatid-sundo" scheme for APORs as he warned that it might lead to "abuse."
Eleazar said that non-APORs might use the system as a reason to go out of the house and just tell the police: "Ako’y pupunta sa isang lugar susunduin ko po si doktora o kung sino man, (I will just go to this place and fetch this doctor or whoever).”
However, the CHR said that the mobility of APORs in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other quarantine classifications in different parts of the country is important during ECQ.
CHR Spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that banning the practice of fetching APORs to and from their workplaces jeopardizes their ability to carry out their roles in combating the pandemic.
The ban would also expose them to a higher risk of infection since there is no guarantee that there would be enough public utility vehicles (PUVs) available during ECQ, although PNP Chief Eleazar assured that the 50 percent capacity of public transport would be enough for them.
"While the CHR fully understands the government’s move to manage the surge of infection brought about by the COVID-19 Delta variant, APORs -- including medical frontline workers and those working in essential establishments, such as restaurants, supermarkets, and banks among others -- should not be deprived access to a safe way of commuting," De Guia said.
She pointed out that the negative impact on frontliners' ability to perform their duties is worse than the "abuse" Eleazar warned about.
"We call on the PNP to review this measure and put into consideration the welfare of our APORs," she urged.
"The issue of alleged abuse of this ‘hatid-sundo’ scheme raised by the authorities can be addressed by requiring documentary proof that the passengers and driver of the vehicle are indeed APORs or authorized persons to fetch APORs," she said.
Instead of causing an "additional burden" to APORs, De Guia said the CHR urges the government to just recognize the invaluable contributions of frontline health and service workers and find ways to support them in fulfilling their duties.