Cops to impose stricter screening at checkpoints as more vehicles ply roads
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities will tighten security at checkpoints as more vehicles are seen on the roads despite the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Wednesday.
This comes after heavy traffic along South Luzon Expressway, EDSA and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila was reported, which suggests that there were motorists who did not follow quarantine rules.
Nograles, the spokesperson of the government’s task force on coronavirus response, said President Rodrigo Duterte ordered policemen manning checkpoints to impose a stricter screening process.
Beginning Wednesday, the police’s Highway Patrol Group will inspect vehicles to determine whether the driver and passengers are allowed to go out of their homes.
Those who are allowed to travel are healthcare workers, frontliners and employees of essential services. Meanwhile, only one person per household is allowed to go outside to purchase basic necessities and provisions for food.
Those who will violate the travel ban will receive traffic tickets.
“I hope you can understand that the enhanced community quarantine will only be effective in containing COVID-19 if we do not roam around and go out of our homes,” Nograles said in Filipino.
“We appeal to everyone to please cooperate and as much as possible stay home,” he added.
The PNP said that violators of quarantine guidelines reached 108,088 as of Monday.
The Luzon-wide lockdown that upended the lives of millions and slowed economic activity is extended until April 30.
The novel coronavirus has so far infected 5,223 individuals—335 of whom have died—in the country.
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Photo shows members of the Philippine National Police deployed in Manila amid COVID-19 threat. The STAR/Edd Gumban
President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020 declares an enhanced community quarantine over all of mainland Luzon, an expansion of an earlier general community quarantine over the National Capital Region.
The entire National Capital Region—16 cities and a municipality—is under community quarantine from March 15 to April 14, which means the enforcement of social distancing measures like letting fewer people on public transportation, reduced store hours, and the possibiity of curfews.
According to a memorandum issued by the Palace on Saturday, March 14, the quarantine means that "movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and work; and uniformed personnel and quarantine officers shall be present at border points."
Travel restrictions in and out of the capital will also be implemented.
A labor group says another lockdown will never resolve rising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines after the government announced that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under the enhanced community quarantine starting Monday.
“The Duterte government seems to be deliberate in focusing its efforts in imposing quarantine and lockdown measures instead of addressing the rising cases of COVID-19 and the worsening state of the pandemic through medical solutions and scientific approach,” says Defend Jobs Philippines.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says the implementation of enhanced community quarantine is meant to slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases, so hospitals and health workers will not be overwhelmed.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announces that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under enhanced community quarantine starting Monday, March 29.
Tuguegarao City will be placed under enhanced community quarantine from January 20 to 29 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba approved the request of Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano to place the city under ECQ for 10 days.
According to the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, the city currently has 246 active cases.
BREAKING NEWS | ENERO 19, 2021 RIATF INAPRUBAHAN NA ANG PAGSASAILALIM SA TUGUEGARAO CITY SA 10-ARAW NA...
Posted by Cagayan Provincial Information Office on Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Batangas, one of the provinces hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, has reported no new cases of the disease for two consecutive days.
The provincial DOH Office says the number of COVID-19 cases in the province stood at 91 with no new cases as of Wednesday afternoon.
Lipa City has the most cases with 26, followed by Batangas City (21) and Nasugbu (11).
Tanauan City has the fourth most cases with eight, followed by Bauan (5) and Alitagtag (3). Cuenca and Sto. Tomas City had two cases each, while the municipalities of Calaca, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Padre Garcia, San Jose, San Juan, San Pascual and Taal had one case each, respectively. — The Filipino Connection
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