Returning workers and other authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) should always bring their company identification cards (IDs) and other basic documents when they go out to avoid getting flagged at checkpoints in Metro Manila.
In a Laging Handa briefing on Monday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago said following the declaration of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila which began on Saturday, one of the problems faced by checkpoint personnel were individuals with no valid IDs or passes.
“Nung Saturday, madami po yung pagkakataon na pinabalik po at pinababa yung mga walang company ID at basic documents — ‘yun po ‘yung mga usual na mga nagiging problema (On Saturday, there were times people were asked to go back or stopped due to missing company IDs and basic documents — these were the common problems),” Pialago said.
Following the increase in the number of APORs, she said checkpoints and ground personnel are also increased to ensure that all individuals aboard vehicles, including passengers of shuttle services, are allowed to leave their homes.
“Nung una ho, sa Edsa, ‘yung Shaw Boulevard ang checkpoint. Pero kanina kinonfirm po sa PNP-HPG (Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group), nadagdagan po ito at mas dumami pa po ang personnel sa ground [At first, in Edsa, the checkpoint was along Shaw Boulevard. But earlier it was confirmed by the HPG that more were added, as well as more ground personnel],” Pialago said.
In partnership with the PNP, she said there will be an intensified inspection in entry points of Metro Manila to ensure that only authorized individuals will be able to enter the city.
“Pakiusap lang po para iwas delay, yung mga basic documentation po ay ihanda po natin para hindi po tayo naha-hassle, hindi po tayo pinapabalik ng ating mga personnel sa ground (To avoid delay, we ask you to prepare basic documentation and not be hassled, so you won’t be asked to turn back by our ground personnel),” Pialago said.
Meanwhile, Pialago said the public should expect a lot of changes in public transportation once Metro Manila is put under a general community quarantine (GCQ).
From the previous 61 routes plied by an average of 2,500 buses along Edsa, she said there will be a single bus route in the major thoroughfare by the start of the GCQ.
“Ang magiging ruta po sa Edsa ay iisa na lang, Monumento to MOA (Mall of Asia), vice versa. ‘Yan po ang magiging sistema pagpasok po ng GCQ (There will be a single route in Edsa, Monumento to MOA, vice versa. That’s the system once a GCQ is declared),” Pialago said.
Aside from the single bus route in Edsa, she said other changes in public transportation would include limited bus stops, marking of loading and unloading areas, possible relocation of buses to a single side of the road, installation of footbridges, and bike lanes.
“Ito po ang ginagawa ng DOTr (Department of Transportation), nakasuporta po ang MMDA diyan sa side ng enforcement [This is what the DOTr has been doing, and the MMDA supports this by providing enforcement],” Pialago said. (PNA)
