THE police have started dismantling quarantine control points (QCPs) it has set up in the National Capital Region (NCR) as the region and 38 other local government units shift to the least restrictive Alert Level 1 starting today until March 15.
PNP public affairs office chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba said the QCPs will be taken down as intra-zonal and inter-zonal travels in the covered areas are already allowed without any condition.
Alba however, said police checkpoints, which are usually co-collated with QCPs, will be retained “for law enforcement and anti-criminality operations and implementation of the election gun ban,” among others.
Under Alert Level 1, establishments are already allowed to operate at full capacity subject to observance of minimum public health standards (MPHS) like wearing of face mask and observing physical distancing.
Alba said the PNP will continue its efforts to ensure health protocols are followed in areas under Alert Level 1 and Alert Level 2.
“Even in areas under Alert Level 1, the PNP will continue to ensure observance of minimum public health standards such physical distancing, use of personal protection and restrictions on crowding in public places,” he said.
Alba said PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos has ordered National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao to prepare for the anticipated heavy volume of commuters and vehicles in NCR streets and thoroughfares today.
Danao has been directed to coordinate with the Metropolitan Development Authority and the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic “to further streamline traffic law enforcement operations and ensure smooth implementation of passenger limit regulations in public conveyance…to mitigate possible unwanted effects of the sudden surge of people and vehicles in Metro Manila streets and thoroughfares.”
ON-SITE WORKERS
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded workers that COVID-19 vaccination remains a requirement for on-site work.
In a virtual press briefing, Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) Director Ma. Teresita Cucueco said: “Unless the courts decide or unless the national government will have an issuance, then it (vaccination) will continue to be implemented.”
She added workers are required to always wear their face masks while management has to ensure that workplaces have adequate ventilation.
Cucueco expressed hopes that all members of the labor force will eventually get jabbed against COVID-19 in order to allow the full resumption of economic activities.
“Majority of the workers are already vaccinated. We know there are many, especially in the manufacturing sector, almost 95 percent of their workers, that are vaccinated. We hope that, in the end, they also understand the level of protection from vaccination, so that they could really go back to work since it is still a requirement,” she said.
As of February 21, there are already 18.9 million fully vaccinated frontline workers.
Senatorial candidate Herbert Bautista called for more aid to workers who have been laid off during lockdowns at the height of COVID infections, saying they needed help to transition to a new normal.
“Many of our workers have been laid off and without jobs for months,” said Bautista, who has implemented job creation programs when he was mayor of Quezon City for three terms.
“Under Alert Level 1, they would still be short in funds so what would they spend for transportation if they were returning back to their previous job? If they would search for new jobs, where would they get money to get back and forth to offices or factories where they would apply?” he said.
Bautista appealed to the government to remember that tens of thousands of people are still jobless in many parts of the capital, citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing that while the employment picture has improved, at least 3.7 million Filipinos are still out of jobs.
“A shift to Alert Level 1 would not automatically give their jobs back,” said Bautista, adding: “In the meantime, our jobless countrymen would still need assistance–preferably cash–to tide them over until Alert Level 1 leads them to find employment.”
Meanwhile, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang issued Administrative Order No. 020-2022 officially lifting the requirement for the submission of negative antigen or RT-PCR tests if the person seeking admission into the court premises can show proof of being fully vaccinated.
The court said defense lawyers and the Office of the Special Prosecutor have earlier petitioned the court to reconsider the requirement for antigen tests.
Citing the National COVID-19 Immunization Program and official government figures showing an “ever-increasing number of fully-vaccinated and boosted” portion of the population, the Sandiganbayan said it is relaxing restriction effective March 1, 2022.
“All fully vaccinated lawyers, parties, witnesses and court users shall be allowed entry into the Sandiganbayan provided that they are able to show physical or electronic copies of their duly issued vaccination and/ or booster cards upon entry into the Sandiganbayan,” the court declared.
It said, the court’s in house security personnel are authorized to verify the identity of the person indicated in the vaccination/booster card. — With Gerard Naval and Peter Tabingo
