1st day of NCR ECQ ‘went well,’ says MMC chair Olivarez

The first day of the reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region generally went well, Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairman Edwin Olivarez said Friday.

"Maganda naman 'yung pagpapatupad dito sa Metro Manila... nakalagay na ang ating mga checkpoint sa boundaries ng cities pati 'yung ating Quarantine Control Points ng mga barangay (The implementation of ECQ in Metro Manila went well... our checkpoints are already set up at the boundaries of the cities as well as our Quarantine Control Points of the barangays)," Olivarez said in an interview on GTV's Balitanghali.

"Ang mga tao ngayon ay parang nasanay na rin kasi pangatlong ECQ na natin ito, at sanay na sila sa patakaran na pinai-implement ng ating pamahalaan (The public is accustomed since this is already the third ECQ, and they got used to the policy being implemented by the government)," he added.

Olivarez said the Department of Budget and Management had figured where to gather the financial aid to be released to the indigent population that will be affected by the ECQ.

According to a separate Balitanghali report, authorities manning the checkpoints are stricter in inspecting documents of motorists and commuters.

A number of motorists were asked to return after failing to provide documents proving they are Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) at the Caloocan-San Jose del Monte, Bulacan checkpoint.

A vehicle was apprehended at the Batasan-San Mateo checkpoint after its passengers failed to observe physical distancing, despite having documents showing they are APORs.

Commuters, mostly workers, wanting to pass through the Pasay-Parañaque checkpoint have prepared their documents to avoid the hassle at the checkpoint.

Some drivers were distressed along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City due to a few number of passengers.

One hour after the implementation of the ECQ, around 10 vehicles were asked to return and were prohibited to pass the border control point at the Valenzuela-Meycauayan, Bulacan boundary.

The drivers of one van and an SUV were not able to provide documents showing they are APORs.

Police went stricter with inspecting vans, as they double-checked for possible non-APORs hiding in trunks.

Vehicles entering San Jose del Monte, Bulacan were jammed at a checkpoint at 3 a.m. due to inspection by authorities. — Jamil Santos/RSJ, GMA News