Inter-Agency Task Force

On Emerging Infectious Diseases

TRAVEL AUTHORITY

This is in response to several reports that have reached the Department of Information
and Communications Technology (DICT) regarding the restriction of access of
servicemen and linemen working for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and for the
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) during the Coronavirus Disease 2019
pandemic in the Philippines.

Pursuant to the Memorandum on Community Quarantine Over the Entire Philippines

and Further Guidelines for the Management of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-
19) issued by the Office of the President, servicemen and linemen of MNOs should fall
under the travel exception as provided in Section 5 thereof, stating that
“telecommunications supplies and facilities, shall be open and that transit to and
from the above establishments anywhere within the area covered by the
Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) , Modified Enhanced Community
Quarantine (MGCQ), General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General
Community Quarantine (MGCQ) shall be allowed.”

Corroborating this, the NTC issued a memorandum dated 16 March 2020 allowing all
telecommunication-related work force (including those who perform indirect services
such as the security, technical, sales and other support personnel as well as employees
of third-party contractors doing sales, installation, maintenance and repair works
and as certified by the Public Telecommunications Entity, Internet Service Provider or
Value Added Service Provider) to travel and perform the necessary work as long as
company ID or supporting certification shall be presented.

Hence, as part of the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Disease (IATF), the DICT is requesting the Philippine National Police, the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other members of the IATF to allow uninterrupted
access of linemen and servicemen, and that they be allowed to travel and perform their
necessary work to ensure the unimpeded delivery of telecommunication services, and
therefore, ensure the public of the availability of adequate internet and mobile
connections to all sectors of the Philippine population.
 Inter-Agency Task Force
On Emerging Infectious Diseases

Concurrent with its recent advisory appealing to government agencies to upgrade their
ICT equipment and software, the Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT) is likewise calling on local government units (LGUs) as well as
homeowners associations (HOAs) to ease permitting requirements and streamline their
procedures to support the accelerated rollout of cell sites and other ICT infrastructure
for telecommunications companies and internet service providers to benefit the
constituents and residents in their respective areas. Noting the need for LGUs and
HOAs to cooperate in addressing the people’s need for connectivity and better quality of
ICT services, the DICT hopes that ICT infrastructure providers will be fostered at the
local level to fast track their roll out and construction of much-needed infrastructure
during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The DICT has also appealed to all checkpoint officials and other entities enforcing the
quarantine, to ensure unhampered movement of ICT personnel and equipment of
telecommunications companies, internet service providers, cable television providers,
including those who perform indirect services such as technical, sales, and other
support personnel, as well as their third-party contractors doing sales, installation,
maintenance and repair works.

“Internet access has become an essential utility in our collective efforts to significantly
improve the public health situation,” Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II said. “With that in
mind, we should keep working together for the continued improvement of our internet
connectivity infrastructure.”

“Responding to our countrymen’s increased demand for connectivity is one of the

President’s core priorities, and we encourage the accelerated rollout of more telco sites
to promptly improve internet access,” Honasan added.

The advisory is in line with the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of
Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 30 and, Resolution No. 45
Office of the President’s Executive Order No. 112, which confirmed and adopted the
IATF-MEID’s Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in
the Philippines.

(Please See Attached Executive Order No. 112 and IATF-MEID Resolution No. 30 and 45)