First day of border control enforcement went well – IPPO

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Despite minor glitches, the first day of the implementation of border controls in Iloilo province went well.

“It was successful in the sense that we achieved our purpose which is to limit non-essential movement,” Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) chief, said.

Different police stations all over the province started setting up border control checkpoints on June 1, following Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s order to restrict non-essential travel within and into the province of Iloilo from June 4-18, 2021.

At the early hours of Friday, a few motorists and travelers were not allowed to pass through the border control checkpoints for failing to present travel passes.

Travelers must present passes from their employers or barangay officials indicating the nature of their trip which is limited to essential purposes like buying food.

“Unless it’s emergency, we would not allow them to go through the checkpoint without a travel pass,” Gorero said.

Aside from the 3-minute delay at checkpoints, there were no major inconveniences reported.

But Gorero said they would adjust as they go along with the border control implementation.

Local police would also assess areas that might be accessed by motorists.

“We’re just thankful that almost everyone has been cooperative in our efforts to limit non-essential movement,” Gorero said.

In Executive Order No. 175, Defensor imposed strict municipal quarantine, whereby non-essential travel into and from all the municipalities and Passi City shall be restricted.

Only the authorized persons outside their residences (APORs) will be allowed to travel within the province.

Those allowed entry into the province are APORs, returning residents, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

APORs include health and emergency frontline services personnel; government officials and government frontline personnel;  duly authorized humanitarian assistance actors (HAAs); persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons; persons going to and from the airport;  persons crossing zones for work or business, activities, and going back home; and public utility vehicle operators.

APORS from the national government agencies and other offices shall present Government Travel Pass.

Other APORs working or doing business shall secure an LGU Travel Pass from the municipal or city mayor.

Defensor earlier underscored the need to reduce the circulation of people in the province due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.