DILG reminds LGUs not to impose excessive fees for medical certificates of stranded individuals

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday reminded local government units not to impose excessive fees for locally stranded individuals who will ask for medical certificates so that they can go home amid the quarantine.

DILG chief Eduardo Año said the agency has received reports that some LGUs are requiring LSIs to pay as much as P3,000 in exchange for medical certificates. He said these reports are being validated.

"Huwag na po nating singilin pa ng pagkamahal-mahal ang ating mga kababayan na gusto lamang makauwi sa kanilang mga probinsiya. Kung puwede ngang libre na lang dahil wala namang lab tests na gagawin," Año said.

"Huwag na natin silang pahirapan as they have suffered enough kaya nga nila hinahangad na makauwi na,” he added.

Año is requesting mayors to review their schedule of fees during this time of health crisis and only charge minimal fees as a public service.

“Gusto nang umuwi ng mga LSI dahil wala na nga po silang pantustos sa kanilang pang-araw-araw dahil sila nga po ay stranded. Kung stranded na nga po sila tapos hihingan pa po natin sila ng napakalaking halaga ay parang wala naman po tayong malasakit,” he said.

Año earlier directed the Philippine National Police to set up help desks in police stations to assist LSIs and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) who wish to go home in this time of 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.—AOL, GMA News