Travel authority not required for workers of essential establishments – DILG

MANILA, Philippines — Employees of essential businesses and industries are not required to get a travel authority in order to pass through quarantine control points (QCPs).

This was reiterated Thursday by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which received reports that some workers of vital establishments were asked for travel authorities to cross a border into another city to work.

“Hindi na nila (employees returning to work) kailangan ng travel authority.  Sapat na na ipakita nila ang kanilang company ID o certificate of employment sa mga QCPs bilang patunay na sila ay Authorized Person Outside of Residence (APOR),” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.

(Employees returning to work, need not get travel authority. Showing company ID and certificate of employment at QCPs is enough proof that they are authorized persons outside of a residence.)

Año noted anew that food, agriculture, manufacturing, utilities, banks, and money transfer agencies are among the industries allowed to operate during modified enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine.

Año said only stranded individuals and returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are required to get a travel pass.

Earlier, some essential workers in Rodriguez, Rizal, reportedly had to wait in line just to secure a travel pass so they can go to Metro Manila for work.

Año said they already coordinated with the Rizal government regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya again explained that stranded persons and returning Filipino migrant workers should secure travel authority from local police stations and medical clearance from the city/municipal health office before being allowed to go back to their respective hometowns.

KGA