BCPO deploys social distancing teams to check-up points

An additional inner check-up point was placed in front of a residential village in Bacolod City, when the Enhanced Community Quarantine in the city was extended until May 15. (Glazyl Masculino photo)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will utilize some of its inner check-up points to monitor the observance of the one-meter physical or social distancing measures as the city shifts to the General Community Quarantine (GCQ), starting May 16, 2020.

Police Colonel Henry Biñas, BCPO director, said they expect an influx of people in the city when public transport resumes under GCQ.

He said that personnel assigned to social distancing teams will inspect taxis, passenger jeepneys, and other public and private vehicles here and those entering the city from Negros Occidental to check if they strictly observe and follow health standard protocols.

The BCPO has 27 inner check-up points placed in major thoroughfares and highways here, and seven outer check-up points placed in different boundaries here.

Aside from the social distancing teams, Biñas said that other inner check-up points will be placed in areas of convergence such as markets and terminals.

Biñas said that policemen in check-up points will continue to check the home quarantine passes of the residents here, including travel passes of individuals from out of town areas. Thermal scanning will still be imposed on travelers, he added.

Random check-up points will also be placed in various areas to be manned by personnel from the Mobile Force Company and Mobile Patrol Group.

Meanwhile, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said on Thursday that border control points will remain under the GCQ.

After meeting with representatives of some local government agencies on Thursday, Leonardia said that boundary check-up points will still be in place to regulate the movement of vehicles and people entering the city from out of town areas.

He also said that odd-even scheme among vehicles from out of town areas entering the city will still be imposed.