Checkpoint set at Valenzuela-Bulacan boundary to monitor health protocols in public utility vehicles

The Northern Police District (NPD) on Thursday conducted a checkpoint at the boundary of Meycauayan, Bulacan and Valenzuela City in Metro Manila to check the compliance of passengers with the minimum health standards against the spread of COVID-19 inside public utility vehicles.

According to a report of Allan Gatus on Dobol B sa News TV, NPD personnel were accosting passengers who are ignoring the wearing of face masks and face shields as well as physical distancing.

NPD director Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz said the checkpoint is a usual operation ensuring that the guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) are being observed.

“Lalo na dito sa pampublikong sasakyan na dumadaan dito sa boundary ng Valenzuela at Meycauayan,” Cruz said.

According to him, the area was selected for the checkpoint because it is the boundary of Bulacan and Metro Manila, which was expected to have a surge in COVID-19 cases during the holiday season

“So hinahanapan natin ng compliance ‘yung mga pasahero, yung mga pampublikong sasakyan sa pagsusuot ng face masks at face shields tsaka ‘yung mga physical distancing,” he added.

The police are giving free face shields to passengers inside PUVs who do not have them.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said checkpoints have been placed in strategic areas to check if people are complying with the minimum health protocols such as wearing face shield and face mask.

Also, he said the checkpoints were in preparation for the upcoming anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on December 26.

Among the checkpoints installed was one at the boundary of Pasig City and Rizal. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News