PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – The provincial government of Palawan banned inter-municipal travel to “curtail and eliminate” the threat brought by coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Governor Jose Alvarez, ordered the Palawan police to strictly impose inter-municipal travel throughout the island province starting 12 midnight of March 19.
“The Philippine National Police (PNP) shall exercise necessary police action including apprehension, restraint, and arrest of resisting or disobeying individuals,” he said.
Criminal charges, in relation to Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), will be filed against residents who will resist or refuse the order.
However, uniformed personnel, health workers, utility workers, cargo or deliveries, and other similar type of transport may be allowed subject to the guideline set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Palawan is an island province composed of 23 municipalities with some 1,780 islands and islets.