Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 23) — Control points located within the NCR Plus ‘bubble’ are there to remind the public to always follow health protocols.
Philippine National Police officer-in-charge LtGen Guillermo Eleazar says the enforcement of stricter measures while Metro Manila and nearby provinces are under general community quarantine is meant to keep the public safe.
“Ang magiging trabaho na lang nila is not to restrict the movement of the motorists inside, kasi isang bubble na lang sila, ang gagawin ay siguraduhin ang mga kababayan natin na nasa labas ng bahay ay sila’y sumusunod sa mga protocol na ibinigay ng ating IATF,” he told CNN Philippines on Tuesday,
[Translation: Their job is not to restrict the movement of motorists inside, because they are under one bubble, but to make sure that those allowed outside of their homes will follow the protocols set by our IATF.]
EXPLAINER: What you need to know about the NCR Plus bubble
Eleazar said they would constantly remind personnel manning checkpoints that humanitarian concerns must always be considered, especially at borders. However, he said people crossing borders should keep an ID with them, as well as a certificate of employment of permitted industries.
He added that even within the bubble, there are essential and non-essential businesses allowed to operate. The public could avail of the services they offer, as long as health and safety protocols are met.
The NCR Plus bubble covers Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. These areas were placed under GCQ until April 4 in an effort to control the surge in coronavirus cases in the country.
The government said the bubble is different from a lockdown, since most businesses in it remain operational. However, tighter restrictions are in place to control the movement of people for two weeks.
The entire bubble is also placed under a unified curfew scheme which runs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., but workers, cargo vehicles and public transportation will not be restricted.
