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TRASH PNP TRAVEL PASS

Solon to authorities: Allow people to cross borders using health clearance


Quezon City Representative Precious Castelo on Sunday urged authorities to let people  cross borders with simply presenting a health clearance instead of a travel pass issued by the Philippine National Police.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Castelo said people should be spared from the burden of securing a travel pass from the police in order for them to return to their home provinces.

"I think it is sufficient na meron nang medical certificate. Tutal, hindi naman of probative value itong travel pass na ini-issue ng PNP e kasi sila, ang kanila talagang trabaho ay panatilihin ang public order and safety, hindi magkakagulo, peace and order, hindi ang pag-iissue ng travel authority o travel pass," she said.

According to Castelo, the COVID-19 crisis is a health issue, and what authorities should be focusing on is how to make the issuance of medical certificates fast and efficient.

"Siguro yung checkpoint areas ang kailangan nilang paigtingin at higpitan, pero when it comes to documentation, ang palagay ko ang kailangan nilang ayusing maigi yung pag-iissue ng medical certification," she added.

Castelo said she received reports that long lines of people form at the PNP headquarters to get travel pass, which only further cause delays on the part of those who want to go home to their provinces.

At the same time, incidents of corruption and red-tape may also happen in securing these travel documents from the police, she added.

"Siguro alisin na nila yung mga unnecessary na proseso. Kung talagang hindi nila maiwasan at magdesisyon ang IATF na ipagpatuloy ang pag-i-issue ng travel pass by means of the PNP, kung merong malinaw na clearance mula sa DOH, ay huwag na nilang patagalin yung ating mga kababayan na nag-a-apply for a travel pass pauwi ng probinsya," Castelo pointed out.

She also called on the PNP, if ever, to be objective in granting travel passes to everyone.

"Nananawagan tayo sa PNP na maging pantay sila, objective and that the same time, kung hindi talaga maiiwasan na mag-iissue sila ng travel pass o maninindigan ang IATF, huwag na nilang pahirapan yung ating mga kababayan," she added. —LBG, GMA News

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