The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday, Jan. 7, appealed for public understanding as strict checkpoints were again put up for inbound and outbound travelers in Metro Manila and Bulacan to ensure that the restriction on the movement of unvaccinated individuals is being enforced.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said such move was done to protect unvaccinated individuals from getting infected with corornavirus disease (COVID-19), being hospitalized or dying, or spreading the disease to others.
He added that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been making adjustments to alleviate traffic congestion in the said areas amid a surge of cases.
“The PNP will assign more uniformed personnel at busy checkpoints and implement other schemes to lessen the inconvenience to the traveling public,” Malaya said.
Earlier, the Metro Manila mayors passed a resolution stating that unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals must remain in their homes except for essential trips under Alert Level 3 or higher. They were also banned from indoor and al fresco dining, hotels, country clubs and similar establishments.
Meanwhile, Malaya reiterated that the presence of the PNP checkpoints requiring residents to show proof of vaccination status is being done in compliance with the directive of President Duterte.
“The DILG and the PNP has begun implementing the measures directed by the President to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country especially in Alert Level 3 areas where there has been an exponential increase of cases due to the transmission of the Omicron variant,” Malaya noted.
He told all motorists and commuters to bring proof of vaccination at all times if they want to be allowed entry at the PNP checkpoints or when entering malls and other public places including taking public transportation.
Malaya added that the unvaccinated individuals going to work must present a negative RT-PCR test result every two weeks otherwise they will not be allowed to pass the checkpoints.
Many business leaders, medical groups, and organizations have been pushing for restrictions to be implemented nationwide amid the spike in infections and the threat of the Omicron variant.