Workers from outside Metro Manila may be allowed into NCR —DILG

Workers from outside Metro Manila will be allowed into the National Capital Region despite the implementation of the community quarantine, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Thursday night.

Año said the employees from nearby provinces will have to show their IDs indicating their respective work places in Metro Manila. 

"Lilinawin ko lang na kasama sa papayagan ang mga nagtatarabaho na pumasok provided na may ID may pagpapatunay na ang work nila ay dito sa Manila," Año said in a radio interview.

"Supposedly sana gagayahin yung sa ibang bansa na total lockdown. We have to consider nagtatarabaho sa labas ng Metro Manila," he added.

Año said officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police would meet on Thursday night to organize the checkpoints in and out of Metro Manila.

"Kaya naman 'yan kasi we have enough forces," Año said.

Año said the government was not imposing a lockdown.

"Ito naman hindi sinasabi na total lockdown. We are just restricting movement, coming and out of Metro Manila," Año said.

"Kasi una, ayaw mag-spread ang virus from Manila going outside. Kasi mas mahirap kapag iba-ibang province and region mag-spread," he added.

PNP spokesman Brigadier General Benigno Durana said the community quarantine would be enforced by the PNP "through checkpoints and other lawful means in coordination with the LGUs starting from barangays and other agencies like the AFP."

AFP chief General Felimon Santos told reporters that soldiers will help the PNP man the checkpoints.

“Movement of goods and basic services will continue and permitted,” Santos said, adding that final guidelines on who will be allowed to enter and exit Metro Manila during the quarantine period would be announced on Friday.

The community quarantine was announced hours after the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines rose to 52 and several government officials and senators said they will undergo self-quarantine.

Officials of the road sector of the Department of Transportation will meet with interior and health officials on Friday to define the rules of the quarantine in Metro Manila, a spokesperson has said.

"We will update you once we have the guidelines already," Transportation Undersecretary Goddess Libiran said on Friday night.

The DOTr made the pronouncement after President Rodrigo Duterte announced the community quarantine in the national capital region to stop the spread of COVID-19.

"Land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended after beginning March 15, 2020 and to end on April 14, 2020, alas dose subject to the daily review of the Inter-Agency Task Force," President Rodrigo Duterte said in a televised address on Thursday night. —Anna Felica Bajo, Julia Mari Ornedo and Joahna Lei CasilaoNB, GMA News