IATF: No travel pass required for APOR

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Bicol Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has clarified that individuals considered as authorized persons outside residence (APOR) need not secure travel pass from local government units (LGU) as a requirement for entry in places where they are working.

Lawyer Anthony Nuyda, Bicol regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and IATF chairperson has issued on Monday, May 18 an advisory to various LGU to strictly follow the IATF omnibus guidelines that says “the movement of persons across areas placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or Modified General Community Quarantine for any purpose other than leisure shall be permitted.”

Grace Rojas, LTO Albay district office chief, shows off the misting area at the agency’s office in Embarcadero De Legazpi aimed at disinfecting clients before they are allowed entry to the office. (Rhaydz B. Barcia)

According to the guidelines, travel pass should not be required from APOR as a pre-requisite for entry in towns and city in the region.

Nuyda said the IATF have been receiving queries and complaints from APOR that some LGU are requiring them to secure travel clearance and show documents of their employment including health certificates before they may be allowed to enter areas where they work.

The guidelines stated that aside from the Rapid Pass and IATF issued identification card (ID), valid company ID would be sufficient for APOR to be allowed to go to places outside their respective residences.

In case a worker does not have any ID, he may secure from his barangay a certification that he is employed in a particular firm or trade.

Confusions marred the first two days of implementation of GCQ in Bicol region, as people who were about to return to their work places have trooped to their respective LGU to seek travel passes. This resulted to mass gathering of people, which is contrary to the GCQ guidelines that prohibit big crown and non-observance of social distancing protocols.