ILOILO – The first day of implementation of the travel pass for authorized persons outside residence (APORs) was generally peaceful, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, provincial police director.
But traffic congestion at border control checkpoints tested people’s patience, Defensor pointed out.
“Our police are going around monitoring the situation. We will get a feedback after a few days to make corresponding adjustments… May birth pains sa umpisa,” he added.
Border control checkpoints would last until June 18 unless this is extended.
Defensor also cited cases wherein public utility vehicles (PUVs) were stuck at checkpoints as some APORs were presenting digital copies of travel passes.
Police have considered these in the meantime, Defensor said, but encouraged essential travelers to secure printed ones.
Travelers who haven’t secured any document were advised to go back.
“We are very strict,” Gorero, for his part, assessed.
“No excuses for those who don’t have travel passes and identification (ID) cards because it’s unfair to others. Besides, dugay na nga gina-announce sa media nga dapat may travel pass gid from their barangay if they have no work or if naga-work, their company shall provide them. Amo lang ‘na ka-simple,” Gorero added.
Gorero said he has not received any reports of resistance at checkpoints.
“Very smooth ang dalagan sang aton checkpoints. I always advise my men to be polite in approaching travelers,” Gorero said.
The IPPO put up two kinds of checkpoints: provincial border points located in the boundaries of Antique, Capiz and Iloilo City overseen by policemen and barangay officials (boundary barangays) plus an augmentation from the Philippine Army, and the municipal/barangay checkpoints.
Gorero, however, clarified that a travel pass isn’t needed if the traveler got transactions only within the municipality.
Gorero said the checkpoints would operate 24 hours.
“Wala may madula sa aton kung sundon naton ang provincial and city government. They are doing this not for them, but for us, so we appeal the public to follow health protocols. Daw indi man guro mabudlay kon magsunod lang kita para mapanubo ang (COVID) cases,” Gorero stressed.
On the other hand, Defensor clarified that all Indian lenders shall be allowed to pass through checkpoints as they, too, are essential workers.
“Pakita lang nila travel pass or any supporting documents,” Defensor said.
The governor once again reminded Ilonggos that these measures have the ultimate goal of stopping COVID transmission.
“Waay naton gin-isyu ang EO para pabudlayan ang pangabuhian naton. Amo ‘ni ang pinakamataas nga pag-andam nga mahimu naton subong under modified general community quarantine kag pangayuon ko sa inyo nga kumplasiran naton ini. Indi naton ina sia pag-enterpretar nga ngitaan pa naton medyos nga lutsan,” said Defensor.
As of June 3, Iloilo had 8,231 total confirmed COVID-19 – 1,530 active, 6,501 recovered and 200 deaths./PN
