Angered over the number of individuals still going out of their homes inspire of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) imposed throughout Luzon and select cities in the Visayas and Mindanao, the government is ramping up efforts to apprehend those who shouldn’t be out.
The Inter-Agency Task Force – Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (IATF-JTF CV) has already deputized the MMDA and PNP-HPG to inspect all private vehicles plying major roads, as well as ticket and confiscate the licenses of those who have no valid reason to be out.
The government has repeatedly said that only Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) are allowed to be out. But what exactly is an APOR? Are you considered one?
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recently released a full list of APORs, as detailed by the IATF-JTFCV. They are categorized into Basic Services, Daily Essentials, Essential Goods, Utilities, and Other APORs.
Basic Services
These are all medical field employees are allowed to go outside during the ECQ. This includes all staff members of the DOH, LGU health facilities, hospitals (including janitorial employees), doctors, and private caregivers. Also eligible to travel are funeral services and emergency responders, and staff of the following government agencies: DILG, DSWD, DRRMC, and the BFP.
Daily Essentials
These are employees of banks, money transfer services, supermarkets/groceries/sari-sari stores, convenience stores, public markets, drug stores/pharmacies, and restaurants. All of these are allowed to go to their place of work.
Essential Goods
Cargo trucks delivering essential goods and commodities like food, water, medicine, and other basic necessities are part of the APOR list. However, only a maximum of three delivery personnel are allowed inside the trucks. Workers that are employed by suppliers and manufacturers of basic necessities (food, water, medicine, etc.) are also allowed outside of their residences.
Utilities
Employees working in utility companies are also authorized. Key officials and employees in telecommunication (including cable and internet services), water concessionaires, sanitation firms, as well as energy companies are part of this list. They can also conduct maintenance/customer services if needed. Trucks delivering fuel to gas stations, along with gas station attendants are also authorized.
Other APORs
Aside from those mentioned above, members of skeletal workforces in select government agencies and departments are allowed to travel as well. Some of these agencies include the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Philippine Stock Exchange, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducting data gathering and surveys related to COVID-19, media personalities including those in Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), PAGASA field personnel, and BPO employees setting up work from home stations.
Finally, private individuals that have a quarantine pass can go out amidst the ECQ to avail of basic services like going to the bank or purchasing supplies provided they stay within their cities or municipalities.
Those not included in this list may be delayed or questioned and checkpoints, and possibly detained and charged with violating quarantine.
As of yesterday, April 19, 2020, the DOH reported that the Philippines now has a total of 6,259 confirmed cases, 409 fatalities, and 572 recoveries. Over the past few days, the number of confirmed cases has continued to rise. In response, the government has considered setting up a total lock-down to mitigate the spread. Although they have yet to confirm as to when and if it will be implemented.
