Up to LGUs to require quarantine passes in NCR, other MECQ areas- Año
By Chito Chavez
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año clarified on Monday, August 23 that it is leaving to the Local Government Units (LGUs) the decision on whether or not they would require quarantine passes for individuals availing of essential goods and services in areas under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), especially Metro Manila.
Año issued the clarification after the Caloocan City government noted that color-coded quarantine passes are still required in the city even if Metro Manila which includes the locality is under MECQ.
“The use of quarantine passes will depend on the LGUs. Nasa kanilang discretion na if they will require quarantine passes within their localities. Bahala din sila mag design ng passes nila. (It is their discretion if they will require quarantine passes in their localities. It is also up to them on what design their passes are),’’ Año said in a Viber message.
Caloocan City Mayor Oscar "Oca" Malapitan in an interview over ABS-CBN noted that quarantine passes will have to be presented when purchasing essential goods or going to establishments allowed to operate during MECQ.
“Nasa desisyon ng LGU ito. Hanggat hindi natin binabawi ang ating kautusan hinggil sa paggamit ng quarantine pass ay patuloy pa rin ang implementasyon nito (This is the decision of the LGU. Until we rescind the order in the requirement to use the quarantine pass this still be implemented),’’ Malapitan said.
Although the quarantine status in Metro Manila was downgraded from the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to the more relaxed MECQ, Malapitan said that the stay-at-home policy for unauthorized persons outside residence (APOR) will still be strictly implemented.
Last August 20, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos announced that quarantine passes are no longer required in the National Capital Region (NCR) under MECQ.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) placed Metro Manila under MECQ from August 21 to August 31 with indoor and outdoor dine-in remains prohibited.
Personal care services including beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas are also not allowed. (Chito A. Chavez)