El Nido, Palawan. The local government here is putting up 24-hour checkpoints along the national highway on the approach to the town in order to regulate the entry of travelers from other parts of the province, as a precautionary response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Pinapahinto sila, binibigyan ng checklist na galing din sa DOH para makita ang kanilang travel profile, tapos tsini-check din ang temperature,” Kurt Acosta, Public Relations Officer I and spokesperson of the Municipal Task Force COVID-19, told Palawan News.
A dry run conducted by municipal personnel on March 11 at Barangay Corong-Corong, however, created a traffic logjam, prompting officials to put up a second checkpoint to facilitate the processing of travelers.
“Sa first result ng dry run, kita po nila na bumabagal doon sa area. Starting March 13, magkakaroon na sila ng advanced party sa area ng Brgy. Manlag, para doon pa lang, ibibigay na ang mga forms para ‘di sila maipon sa Bubolongan. Limited din kasi ang ating thermal gun na puwedeng gamitin para sa mga tourists,” Acosta said.
Under Executive Order 20-037 issued by Mayor Edna Gacot-Lim, checkpoints were also put up at the El Nido Pier and the Lio Airport for traveler coming by air and sea.
