DILG issues show cause orders to 3 governors, 2 mayors for violating quarantine rules
MANILA, Philippines — Three governors and two mayors are facing show cause orders from the Department of the Interior and Local Government for allegedly violating quarantine policies.
The local chief executives were not identified but DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said these local chief executives violated prohibition against mass gatherings, failed to strictly implement social distancing measures, prohibited movement of cargo, refused entry to overseas Filipino workers and essential personnel into their localities and prohibited operations of industries vital to food security.
The officials were given 48 hours from receipt to submit a written explanation stating why administrative cases should not be filed against them for negligence, dereliction of duty and violation of Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
The DILG also said the three governors and two mayors may face criminal charges from the National Bureau of Investigation.
The department earlier issued show cause orders to four barangay officials from Quezon City and Caloocan City for violating physical distancing measures and prohibition against mass gatherings.
“As directed by the president himself, we will not go easy on local government officials who will violate the prescribed directives during the ECQ,” Secretary Eduardo Año said.
The national government extended the enhanced community quarantine of Luzon until April 30 to further arrest the spread of the novel coronavirus that has infected over 5,200 people in the country.
LGUs, PNP ordered to close non-essential businesses
The DILG also instructed LGUs and the Philippine National Police to strictly enforce the closure of non-essential business establishment while the Luzon-wide lockdown is still being implemented.
This comes after the department received reports that some non-essential commercial establishments in some localities resumed operations.
Under DILG Memorandum Circular 2020-062, only establishments providing or manufacturing basic necessities such as food, medicine, water, banking, remittance centers, power, energy and telecommunication are allowed to operate as long as strict social distancing measures are observed.
Violators may be arrested and charged under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person.
Malaya said the government task force on coronavirus response is taking into account the impact of the ECQ to the national and local economies.
“The IATF is carefully studying the next steps but one thing for sure is that we have to exercise caution and prudence regarding the partial lifting of the ECQ after April 30. We are optimistic but we must always base our recommendations to the president on scientific evidence,” he said.
Photo shows members of the Philippine National Police deployed in Manila amid COVID-19 threat. The STAR/Edd Gumban
President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020 declares an enhanced community quarantine over all of mainland Luzon, an expansion of an earlier general community quarantine over the National Capital Region.
The entire National Capital Region—16 cities and a municipality—is under community quarantine from March 15 to April 14, which means the enforcement of social distancing measures like letting fewer people on public transportation, reduced store hours, and the possibiity of curfews.
According to a memorandum issued by the Palace on Saturday, March 14, the quarantine means that "movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and work; and uniformed personnel and quarantine officers shall be present at border points."
Travel restrictions in and out of the capital will also be implemented.
A labor group says another lockdown will never resolve rising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines after the government announced that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under the enhanced community quarantine starting Monday.
“The Duterte government seems to be deliberate in focusing its efforts in imposing quarantine and lockdown measures instead of addressing the rising cases of COVID-19 and the worsening state of the pandemic through medical solutions and scientific approach,” says Defend Jobs Philippines.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says the implementation of enhanced community quarantine is meant to slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases, so hospitals and health workers will not be overwhelmed.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announces that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under enhanced community quarantine starting Monday, March 29.
Tuguegarao City will be placed under enhanced community quarantine from January 20 to 29 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba approved the request of Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano to place the city under ECQ for 10 days.
According to the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, the city currently has 246 active cases.
BREAKING NEWS | ENERO 19, 2021 RIATF INAPRUBAHAN NA ANG PAGSASAILALIM SA TUGUEGARAO CITY SA 10-ARAW NA...
Posted by Cagayan Provincial Information Office on Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Batangas, one of the provinces hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, has reported no new cases of the disease for two consecutive days.
The provincial DOH Office says the number of COVID-19 cases in the province stood at 91 with no new cases as of Wednesday afternoon.
Lipa City has the most cases with 26, followed by Batangas City (21) and Nasugbu (11).
Tanauan City has the fourth most cases with eight, followed by Bauan (5) and Alitagtag (3). Cuenca and Sto. Tomas City had two cases each, while the municipalities of Calaca, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Padre Garcia, San Jose, San Juan, San Pascual and Taal had one case each, respectively. — The Filipino Connection
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