The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged the public to continue their vigilance and comply with minimum health protocols to effectively curb the further spread of the Covid-10 virus, particularly its reportedly more infectious new variants.
In a TV interview, DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said they recently met with their resident epidemiologist and DOH (Department of Health) officials who emphasized “the need for us to practice minimum public health protocols.”
Densing said local government units (LGUs) have been ordered to impose sanctions on people who ignore quarantine protocols despite the easing of travel restrictions across the country. He added that they will issue a reiteration memorandum directing “our LGUs to penalize people who go out of their residences without practicing minimum public health protocols.”
The Philippine National Police (PNP) meanwhile said travelers will no longer be required to secure authority from police offices in compliance with the national government’s move to harmonize travel rules across the country.
“We will advise our local PNP personnel not to impose restrictions anymore. Travelers would only have to comply with whatever is required by their destination LGU. There is no need for the local police to enforce more restrictions,” according to PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana.
Despite easing of restrictions, some LGUs still require negative RT-PCR test results for travelers before they are allowed entry.