Few people outside the Manila North Harbor on Friday tried to board a ship to return to their provinces.
“Sa tala natin kaninang umaga, nasa 30 na lamang itong nasa labas na hindi makapasok sa pasilidad natin sa north harbor primarily because wala silang documentation na dala-dala papuntang Zamboanga City,” said Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Atty. Jay Santiago.
They had earlier asked the 100 people outside the port to return to their homes if their documents were not complete to be allowed to sail.
“Kami po ay nananawagan at nakikiusap po sa ating mga kababayan na magbibiyahe po at dadaan sa ating mga pantalan na kung di naman po essential at hindi po ganun ka importante ang ating paglalakbay ay ipagpaliban na muna po natin ito at hintayin po natin ang abiso ng pamahalaan kung kailanga luluwag muli ang pagbibiyahe,” said Santiago.
He said people can travel for free as long as they are with those authorized to sail under the NCR Plus Bubble from March 22 to April 4.
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He said, among the APOR list of the Inter-Agency Task Force are stranded or returning residents of the provinces as long as they can show proof of residence in the area.
It is also important for passengers to check with local governments if they need to show a negative RT-PCR result before being allowed to enter the province.
He said the former travel authority requirements and certificates of acceptance from LGUs are no longer required.
“Kanina umaga nakapagpalayag tayo ng halos 385 katao papaunta Dumaguete at Zamboanga—lahat po ito may kaukulang dokumentasyon at awtorisdado sila,” he said.
He said the provinces are giving notice of changes in the policies related to the admission of stranded residents.
“Nag abiso po yung ating region sa Western Visayas na meron silang moratorium na hindi sila tatanggap ng mga inbound passengers from March 22 to April 4. Sa Palawan, ang tatanggapin lang nila APOR. Sa Zamboanga, ang ni-rerequire nila na may negative RT-PCR result yung mga biyahero natin,” he added.