Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered on Sunday all police commanders in Metro Manila to coordinate with their respective Local Government Units (LGUs) for the implementation of the limitations on outdoor exercises.
This, as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said LGUs could set limitations on the movement of persons or set specific time periods for outdoor exercises.
“I have tasked police offices and units in Metro Manila to immediately coordinate with local government units to determine regulations to be imposed in connection with outdoor exercises,” said Eleazar.
The limitations on outdoor exercises are still ordered to be monitored amid the continuous rise of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases despite the implementation of the two-week lockdown in Metro Manila from August 6-20.
Eleazar said they agree with the decision to limit outdoor exercises due to the continuous threat of COVID-19.
The National Capital Region is under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine until the end of August.
Although outdoor exercises have been allowed, mayors were given the discretion to impose limitations in their localities to curb COVID-19 transmission.
The coordination with LGUs, according to Eleazar, is aimed at ensuring that there will be no confusion on the implementation in every LGUs.
Eleazar said police officers should ensure that all minimum public health safety standards will be followed by persons engaging in outdoor exercises with the continuing rise in COVID-19 infections.