Staff Sgt. Alexander Pablo politely asks motorist to present required papers at a checkpoint in Orion. Photo by Ernie Esconde
MARIVELES, Bataan — Police checkpoints in 11 towns and one city in Bataan were activated Sunday as the province started enforcing enhanced community quarantine that will last until August 22.
At the border checkpoints in barangays Balsik and Palihan in Hermosa town, police officers were strict in the implementation of ECQ guidelines. Balsik is the boundary between Bataan and Pampanga while Palihan is the exit and entry points to and from the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
In-between towns, checkpoints suddenly sprouted with police officers and marshals asking for documents from motorists and travelers.
Staff Sgt. Alexander Pablo who manned one of the checkpoints in Orion town politely asked drivers for required documents. He said that they have not encountered any problem so far as the motorists presented complete requirements.
“Sana ang mga hindi authorized na lumabas ay huwag na munang lumabas para hindi na kumalat ang virus,” Pablo appealed.
Major Jeffrey Onde, Orion police chief, inspected the checkpoints in the town.
Checkpoints in Mariveles were more strict, the industrial town being under ECQ with heightened restrictions.
Lt. Marlon Buenaventura explained various guidelines before one can enter Mariveles. He said that work at the Freeport Area of Bataan was suspended during the duration of the ECQ, except for those cleaning and maintaining the machineries, doing the payroll and payment of company obligations and security.
He said some workers were surprised of the work stoppage, saying they were not immediately informed by their superiors.
Buenaventura said some of those entering Mariveles reasoned out that they were not earlier informed of the guidelines and asked for consideration. “Kung talagang emergency naman, pinagbibigyan namin at sinasabihan na lang na sa susunod ay dapat kumpleto na sila,” he said.
Gov. Albert Garcia said the spike in Covid- 19 cases in the province coupled with those found infected with the Delta variant was the main reason for placing Bataan under the ECQ status.
“Ito rin ang dahilan ng nakapanlulumong kritikal na sitwasyon sa mga emergency rooms at intensive care units sa ating mga pagamutan at at sumasagad sa mga kakayahan ng mga health workers sa araw-araw,” the governor said.
He said that in order to curb the local transmission of the virus and to give respite to hospitals and the overworked health workers, they decided to recommend that Bataan be placed under ECQ and Mariveles, the epicenter of Delta variant in the province, under ECQ with heightened restrictions.
“Isang napakabigat na desisyon ang magdeklara ng ECQ subalit kailangan nating gawin bago pa maging huli ang lahat. Huwag tayong mabahala at magpanic-buying dahil mananatili namang bukas ang ating mga palengke at supermarket para sa mga essential goods sa panahon ng ECQ,” Garcia said.
He said that the provincial government will assist its constituents in the provision of food and will revive “Kusina sa Barangay” that provides cooked food to residents.
“Muling mamimigay ng ayudang 25 kilong bigas sa bawat tahanan bukod pa sa manggagaling na tulong mula sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan at dagdag na suporta mula sa national government,” the governor said.
