JTF COVID Shield to issue travel pass permit
The Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield will issue a Travel Pass- through Permit ( TTP) in support of the government’ decision to ease travel restrictions to spur more economic activities.
The move will be implemented in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) headed by Secretary Eduardo Año and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief led by General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan.
JTF COVID Shield Commander and Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said the TPP will allow non-APOR (Authorized Persons Outside Residence) as well as locally stranded individuals or LSI, heading to a local government Unit with ‘Unrestricted Travel Policy’ to be given access to pass through LGU with strict travel protocols, or “Restricted” travel status.
“Unlike Travel Authority, there is no requirement in getting a TPP. This document will be presented to policemen manning the Quarantine Control Points, or border control checkpoints, to allow them to pass the travel restrictions being implemented in LGU with Restricted status,” Eleazar said.
The announcement comes on the heels of the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to lift the travel restrictions for all local travels.
LGU, on the other hand, implemented an “Unrestricted Travel Policy” which means that they no longer require the APOR and non-APOR, including LSI, a Travel Authority.
Eleazar noted that PNP Chief General Cascolan has already instructed police commanders to ensure that TPP would be immediately available upon request and should maintain a record for reference.
“In order to ensure hassle-free travel, non-APOR should secure a TPP before their travel because they might be barred from passing through an LGU or LGU with Restricted Travel Policy. The TPP will spare them from this kind of scenario,” he added.
Travel documents are no longer needed from APOR or non-APOR travelers, if the LGU destination and the LGU where they would pass through have Unrestricted Travel Policy.
For people included in the APOR list and whose travels are work-related or health and family emergencies could present valid identification cards, Certificate of Employment and proof that the travel is an emergency situation.
The TPP and Travel Authority are applicable in areas under general community quarantine and the modified general community quarantine. He, however, said that the TPP does not apply in areas under enhanced community quarantine and modified enhanced community quarantine.