Travel clearance from QC health centers ‘welcome dev’t’

AFTER THE Quezon city government said the city hall will no longer issue medical travel clearances, residents traveling outside Metro Manila may now secure their medical travel clearance from a health center nearest them. 

“Sana nga para iwas din haba ng pila at malapit-lapit din sa ating barangay (this is good so we can avoid the long lines and it is nearer to our barangay),” said Boggz Alcantara, who described the move as a welcome development for residents.

The Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) announced on Wednesday that it will no longer be issuing medical travel clearance from the city hall.

Crowding of people at the city hall during the holidays resulted from the long lines of applicants obtaining documents.

“We encourage our QCitizens to go to their health center preferably during the afternoon when the volume of patients is low,” QCHD chief Dr. Esperanza Arias said.

QC residents who are planning to travel outside NCR should secure a medical travel clearance amid the threat of Covid-19.

The QCHD said a health declaration form may be downloaded at https://quezoncity.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/QCHD-Health-Declaration-Form.pdf and must be completed and submitted to the health center.

Moreover, travel clearance applicants should also bring a government-issued ID and a barangay clearance as proof of their residence.

They also should not be listed as a suspected, probable, or confirmed individuals with Covid-19.

Those who wish to travel with minors must also bring proof or documents such as birth certificates showing their relationship.

Meanwhile, those who are traveling with senior citizens must also present documents showing that they reside at the same address.

The city government said the complete list of health centers per district may be accessed at https://quezoncity.gov.ph/qcitizen-guides/how-to-get-a-medical-travel-clearance-and-a-travel-pass/.

Applicants are also advised to check first doctors’ schedules before going to the health center or they may be advised to proceed to the next nearest health center in case a doctor is unavailable. (By Marita Moaje)