Recto requests IATF to review order on PNP to issue travel authority
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Friday said he is “respectfully” requesting the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to review its order that a travel authority for travelers during the quarantine period be issued by the Philippine National Police.
In a statement, Recto said the travel authority, which he called an “unnecessary document,” draws away from the “depleted” police force from the frontlines and their principal job.
“Dagdag pa dito, pinapatulong pa sila sa pag-distribute ng second wave ng ayuda. So on top of being a travel visa center, they’re also a pera padala force,” he said.
(Aside from this, they are being asked to help in the distribution of the second wave of cash assistance. So on top of being a travel visa center, they’re also a send money force.)
Under IATF guidelines, one must secure a travel authority if he/she is not part of exempt groups, and “travel would require crossing the border of another province or another region.”
Recto also said that instead of the police asking for a travel authority, a medical certificate issued by a public health doctor would suffice instead.
Article continues after this advertisement“The most important requirement is the medical certificate issued by a public health doctor. The pass issued by the police has no probative value,” Recto said.
Article continues after this advertisement“Kapag mayroon nang medical certificate, hindi na pwede i-overrule ng pulis. Kung wanted for a criminal case, wala naman silang online database of fugitives. So where’s the value-added service?” the Senate President Pro Tempore added.
(If you already have a medical certificate, that cannot be overruled by the police. If you’re wanted for a criminal case. They don’t have an online database of fugitives. So where’s the value-added service?)
Recto said “understaffed police stations” still have to man quarantine-required checkpoints.
“And then they have to assign personnel to process applications for authority to travel outside a province. So an officer who should be pounding his beat is now pounding his computer keyboard,” he said.
With this, he said he is “respectfully requesting the IATF to review the order instructing travelers to get a pass from the police as it is both a hassle to the pass giver and the pass holder.”
