Año orders PNP to set up help desks to process travel authorities for stranded individuals

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to set up help desks in police stations to help locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs).

These help desks should process applications for travel authorities to allow LSIs and ROFs to return to their homes after being stranded due to community quarantine.

Under the guidelines set by the National Task Force Against COVID-19, LSIs and ROFs must get a medical certificate from the municipal or city health office certifying that the person is neither a contact, suspect, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 case, and has completed the 14-day quarantine. The said individual should also secure a travel authority from the PNP to be able to travel.

"Gusto nating bigyan ng pagkakataon na magkasama na ang mga nagkahiwalay na pamilya dahil sa quarantine. So para mapabilis ang proseso, inaatasan ko ang PNP na magtalaga ng help desk sa lahat ng police stations sa buong bansa,” the Interior secretary said.

After securing medical certificates from the local government unit, LSIs and ROFs may then proceed to PNP help desks to apply for a travel authority.

Considered LSIs are persons (Filipinos or foreign nationals) who were stranded in various localities while in transit and who wish to return to their residences.

ROFs on the other hand are Filipinos who have returned to the country, including both overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and non-OFWs.

The chief of police will issue travel authorities for travel from one barangay to another barangay within the same municipality.

The provincial police director will then issue travel authorities for travel from a town or municipality or city to another town/municipality/city in a different province.

Meanwhile, for travel authorities for travel from one region to another, the police regional director will be the one to issue the document.

The medical clearance or certificate will be presented not just to the PNP help desk but also at all checkpoints and at the LGU of final destination.

In addition, ROFs should secure a travel authority issued by the Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield), a negative RT-PCR result, and a quarantine certification from the Bureau of Quarantine. These will be presented at quarantine control points or at the LGU upon entry.

Año said a certificate of acceptance of the receiving LGU is no longer required. The LGU will receive the travel authority and the list of LSIs and ROFs.

"Hawak-hawak ninyo kailangan iyong medical certificate ninyo at inyong travel authority from the PNP at iyan po ay tatanggapin ng lahat ng checkpoints seaports, airports sa buong bansa basta may hawak na po kayong ganyan," Año said.

He also reminded local chief executives that "they should not deny the entry or transit of all ROFs and LSIs but may, in coordination with the RTF, establish its health protocols for ROFs and LSIs that are consistent with Interagency Task Force (IATF) policies."

The public may contact the PNP Command Center for any inquiries regarding the guidelines for LSIs and ROFs: 09988490013 for Smart users and 09175382495 for Globe subscribers.

LGUs were also tasked to provide food and transportation support to ROFs and LSIs.

"The government understands the plight of the LSIs and ROFs that they are displaced from their home province amid this crisis. It is only right under human consideration that they are assisted in going home to their families while we ensure safety health protocols," Año said. —KG, GMA News