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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DILG to LGUs: Stranded individuals need not pay excessive fees for medical certificate required for travel authority

DILG to LGUs: Stranded individuals need not pay excessive fees for medical certificate required for travel authority

Published May 25, 2020 12:00 am
By Chito Chavez The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday, May 25, urged the local government units (LGUs) not to charge exorbitant fees for the medical certificate required for the travel authority of locally stranded individuals (LSIs). DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Photo from Philippine Information Agency / MANILA BULLETIN) DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Photo from Philippine Information Agency / MANILA BULLETIN) DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said that reports revealed that some LGUs required LSIs to pay as much as P3,000 in exchange for the medical certificates. Such reports, according to the local government secretary, are now under investigation, according to A ñ o, who emphasized that if said information were true, “it is an injustice to the stranded individuals who just want to go home to their provinces.” Preferably, Año said that the medical certificates should be given for free since no laboratory test would be conducted. “Huwag na natin silang pahirapan as they have suffered enough kaya nga nila hinahangad na makauwi na (Let us not make things more difficult since they have suffered enough. That is why they want to go home)” said Año. Año said “that the DILG is requesting all mayors to review their schedule of fees during this time of COVID and only charge minimal fees as a public service.’’ He noted that the LSIs must only secure medical certificates and travel authority to be able to go back to their provinces. Año added that medical certificates must be requested from the health office of the LGU emphasizing “that the LSIs do not need to undergo COVID-19 rapid test or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provided that they have no symptoms or are not a PUM/PUI (persons under monitoring/persons under investigation).’’ He clarified that the medical certificate is a proof that the LSI “is not a contact, suspect, or a probable or confirmed COVID-19 case, and also has undergone 14-day quarantine based on the protocols of the Department of Health.” After securing a medical certificate, Año said the LSIs can now apply for travel authority at the help desk of the police station in the locality. DILG undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya also explained that, as the national government implements the “Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa (Return to the Province, New Hope)’’ program, the smooth transit and return of LSIs is a priority. The National Housing Authority (NHA) said at least one million Metro Manila residents are expected to participate in the Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa program where more than 33,000 LSIs have already enrolled. “The government anticipates millions of Filipinos will avail of this program kaya inaasahan po namin ang tulong ng lahat ng mga LGUs (that is why we expect the cooperation of the LGUs),” Malaya said. Individuals who are interested to enroll in the said program may do so at www.balikprobinsya.ph. Meanwhile, Malaya also urged those who paid excessive fees for their medical certificate to report such incidents to the DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP) hotlines. He noted that queries regarding travel authority can be addressed by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield headed by P/General Guillermo Eleazar. Malaya said that questions about travel authorities, which are issued by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, may be coursed through hotline numbers 09988940013 and 09175382495.
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