Travels within and outside Metro Manila are less restricted under the Alert Level 4 policy that will start in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sept. 16, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said Tuesday, Sept. 14.
In a news briefing, Densing explained that inter-zonal and intrazonal travels are allowed in Alert Level 4 areas with no distinctions in the trips from one city to another in the National Capital Region (NCR). The same less restrictions extend to destination that leads to places outside Metro Manila.
With these less travel restrictions, Densing noted that the travellers will only have to deal with the policies of the places of their destinations.
Since NCR is under pilot Alert Level 4 and granular lockdown policies from Sept. 16 to 30, Densing urged the public to adhere to the minimum public health standards since this is the most effective solution in controlling the spread of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
He added that the alert level with granular lockdown schemes will be enforced nationwide as the country continues its uphill battle against the virus.
When pressed if granular lockdowns will be announced in advance, Densing clarified that there is no “hard rule’’ in this regard stating no warnings are declared if an area has clustering of COVID-19 cases for a long time.
The DILG official added that there might be instances where critical areas are placed urgently and immediately under granular lockdowns.
In these cases, Densing maintained that it is important that proper procedures are followed when imposing granular lockdowns with the recommendation coming from the local health office.
He pointed out that prior notices of the granular lockdown in certain places are possible depending on the decision of the concernedLGUs.
During the first week of the granular lockdown, the LGUs will be tasked to distribute the assistance of any kind they wish to give in the initial week. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be providing food packs to the residents affected by the granular lockdowns the following week.
During the two-week granular lockdown, the DILG explained that food packs will be distributed by the DSWD to the affected families as cash aids amounting to more than P11 billion were already provided to the qualified NCR recipients by the national government during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period.
However, the LGUs may provide cash aid to the residents in the granular lockdown areas if they wish to. (Chito Chavez)