The common triage and checkpoint earlier setup by the various towns in northern Benguet in Barangay Natubleng, Buguias continues to strengthen its operation.
Bakun Mayor Bill Raymundo said strict measures are being imposed to heighten the checkpoint due to the continuing threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The centralized quarantine checkpoint established last month is jointly manned by the towns of Buguias, Bakun, Mankayan, and Kibungan.
Law enforcers and health workers are assigned to manage the common triage and strictly monitor compliance by motorists to health and safety protocols.
Raymundo said the checkpoint needs to be strictly enforced since there are instances where groups or individuals are trying to pass the area only to find out they are tourists having no legitimate reason to enter the province.
“We man the checkpoint in rotation to prevent those coming up here without papers. Some only come up here for non-essential travels,” Raymundo said.
Other motorists with food passes turned out not containing any food item in their vehicles.
Scheduled to man the checkpoint is Buguias on Monday and Tuesday, Bakun on Wednesday and Thursday, Kibungan on Friday, and Mankayan on Saturday and Sunday.
Requirements for those coming within the municipalities of Buguias, Mankayan, Bakun and Kibungan include health declaration form from place of origin for Benguet residents while those from other provinces must present health declaration forms and travel permits.
Authorized persons outside of residence must also present certificate of employment/valid employment ID and a health declaration form.
Business distributors or businessmen must also present health declaration form, business permit at point of destination, conveyance permit, and transfer permit.
Those who will go out from their municipalities but travel is within Benguet without passing through Baguio must present a health declaration form.
Those who must pass through Baguio City or outside of the province to reach another Benguet town must have with them health declaration form, travel permit, medical clearance and Covid – Shield form from the Philippine National Police. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 30, 2024
