INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday told local government units (LGUs) not to charge excessive fees from locally-stranded individuals who are seeking medical certificates that are needed for their return to their hometowns.
Año issued the statement after the Department of Interior and Local Government received reports that LGUs were charging the stranded persons as much as P3,000 for medical certificates.
He said the fee should be “minimal” as the locally-stranded individuals (LSIs) are in financial trouble due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If possible, he said, the medical certificates should be issued by the LGUs for free because they are not doing any laboratory test. He noted that the LSIs only want to return to their hometowns.
“These LSIs want to go home because they have no money to spend for their daily needs as they are stranded. If they are stranded and we’re charging them excessive fees, it seems we’re lacking compassion,” he said.
Año said a medical certificate is already enough to secure travel authority from the local PNP.
The medical certificate, Año said, proves the applicant is not a contact, suspect, or a probable or confirmed COVID-19 patient. He said it must also indicate the applicant has undergone a 14-day quarantine based on protocols of the health department.
PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said he will issue order to policemen not to arrest LSIs who are in the process of securing travel passes.
“Our intention is let them return to their provinces,” he said.
