LGUs’ worry of new COVID-19 cases hampers resumption of domestic flights

MANILA, Philippines — Some local government units (LGUs) are “refusing” the resumption of domestic flights out of worry that it may introduce new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in their jurisdictions, Malacañang said Monday.

“I talked to CAB [Civil Aeronautics Board] and CAAP [Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines] at apparently, ang nagiging problema are the local government units are refusing to admit passengers from the domestic flights,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

(I talked to CAB and CAAP and apparently, the problem is that some local government units are refusing to admit passengers from domestic flights.)

There will be a consultation with the LGUs on guidelines submitted by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), chief implementer of the country’s response against the virus Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

“Sa local flights, may sinubmit na po yung ating DOTr, tinitignan po namin kasi icoconsult natin sa mga LGUs. Kasi ang nakikita natin, takot yung mga LGUs na magkaroon ng open travel kasi yun nga sa importation [ng cases],” Galvez said in the same briefing.

(On local flights, DOTr already submitted guidelines and we will consult with the LGUs on this. We observed that LGUs are afraid of open travel because of possible importation of cases.)

CAB said no domestic flights are not yet allowed to operate since the government’s task force on COVID-19 has yet to approve the local air travel routes for the first week of June.

This, despite Metro Manila and other areas being placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) from June 1 to June 15.

Under GCQ, road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation are allowed to operate at a reduced operational and vehicle capacity given that minimum health standards are observed.