AN ISLAND off Zamboanga is reportedly being used as a jump off point by travellers from nearby provinces to illegally enter the city in an effort to avoid the strict health requirements imposed by the local government.
All travellers and even individuals who have received their Covid-19 vaccine or those fully vaccinated are required to present their negative RT-PCR test results upon entering Zamboanga City as part of stricter health protocols in combating the spread of the deadly virus.
Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, said she received reports of landings of travellers on Simariki Island which is populated by mostly indigenous people. She said the island is being used to illegally enter Zamboanga.
Citing reports, the mayor said motorized boats operated by unscrupulous individuals make at least 3 trips to the island where they transport passengers who do not have negative RT-PCR tests and other requirements. Most of the passengers would then enter coastal barangays.
Climaco said she ordered security forces to intensify patrols and prevent the entry of people without the necessary health requirements.
“Zamboanga City is strictly implementing the No RT-PCR Test, No Entry Policy for all travellers, including those from Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur,” she said.
Climaco said travellers must have negative Covid-19 test results – whether by Saliva RT-PCR test or nasopharyngeal RT-PCR test.
She previously issued Executive Order 651-2021 that mandates all inbound passengers, whether APOR (Authorized Persons Outside Residence) or private individuals, regardless of reason or purpose of entry, including transit travellers to present negative RT-PCR test result within 5 days from date of specimen collection and their valid identification cards before they can enter Zamboanga City.
“These are temporary measures designed to curb the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases in order to promote the health and safety of the general welfare of the citizens,” the mayor said.
Soldiers and policemen had intercepted dozens of people trying to enter Zamboanga the past months without the health requirements.
Zamboanga, which has a long coastline, is dotted by over two dozen islands and islets which makes it extremely difficult for security forces to guard. The city is near the provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte. (Zamboanga Post)
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