Uniformed personnel manning checkpoints along Baguio City’s borders remain vigilant against unauthorized travels.
Thus maintained Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) Director Allen Rae Co, in the face of complaints reaching his office alleging tourists crossing provincial boundaries into the city.
In a statement, Co said, elements of the BCPO investigated social media reports about tourists crowding Session Road, Camp John Hay and other city parks.
However, he hastened, the BCPO Tourist Police and Mobile Police Units found, the persons involved “were residents of Baguio going out [of their homes] on scheduled market days.”
Co added, “Others who came from the BLISTT (Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay) and other areas were on official business transactions or were purchasing goods and supplies.”
He assured the public BCPO is strict with border controls and only allows entry of those with official business, essential travels and, returning Baguio residents and workers.
To date, Section 2 of Executive Order 95, series of 2020, issued by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong disallowing leisure travel and tours as well as loitering outside of homes is still in effect.
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Meanwhile, an online registration system, hdf.baguio.gov.ph, had been activated to ensure all individuals crossing city limits have travel authorities.
Since May 18, the BCPO processed 38,569-travel authorities to locally stranded individuals and those with indispensable travels. Over the same period, the city welcomed 41,264 returning Baguio residents who have undergone the required triage assessment protocol.
An average of 377-individuals daily are vetted by the City Health and Services Office at the central triage at St. Vincent Gymnasium along Naguillian Road and 160-individuals daily average assessed at the Teachers Camp, to ensure returning residents, workers and students are not afflicted with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“BCPO imposes compliance of the requirements in entering Baguio to anyone who wishes to come in the city as covered by Travel Authority per directive from the Philippine National Police,” Co said.
He vowed, “BCPO will not tolerate violations compromising the safety and health of the public, thus, any travel in the city that do not fall within considered essential travels will be dealt with accordingly.”
By: Jessa Samidan
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