Solon seeks removal of travel pass; says health clearance should suffice

MANILA, Philippines – A Quezon City lawmaker on Monday called for the removal of the travel pass issued by the Philippine National Police, claiming that a health clearance issued by the Department of Health should be enough to clear people for travel following the easing of quarantine protocols.

In a statement, Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo said the PNP travel pass has no medical “probative value” and is only an added burden to travelers specifically for overseas Filipino workers and locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

“By not requiring the OFWs and LSIs to secure police travel pass, we lighten the burden they carry during the crisis brought by the pandemic,” She added.

The issuance of a travel pass or a travel authority requires a medical clearance certificate from the City or Municipal health office to be approved by any police chief or police directors depending on the destination of travel.

The removal of the said permit can also lead to faster processing of permit “made difficult or impossible by existing restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19,” Castelo claimed.

She also said there are reports about certificates and permits required for travelers being abused by “very enterprising” authorities.

“We can lessen corruption and improve public service if non-essential requirements are eliminated in the government’s Covid-19 response system,” she said.

As of Sunday, COVID-19 confirmed cases reached 30,052 according to DOH. (Jim Mendoza, trainee)

EDV