BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong said over the weekend that his resignation as the country’s contact tracing czar is irrevocable.
Standing firm on his decision to resign from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), Magalong said: “One of the highlights of public service is good governance. We should look at a ranking official as the lead implementer of what’s right.”
Although not specifically indicated in his resignation letter to the IATF, through Secretary Carlito Galvez, the mayor said his decision to resign is final in view of the birthday bash controversy at The Manor in Camp John Hay.
Magalong and his wife were among dozens of guests at the birthday party of socialite Tim Yap, which was criticized for violating health protocols such as social distancing and the wearing of face masks.
“Mukhang may kakulangan ako (Apparently, there’s indiscretion on my part), so it’s all about accountability,” Magalong said in the aftermath of the incident.
A total of 33 participants in the event, including Magalong’s wife Arlene, Yap and showbiz personality KC Concepcion, each paid P1,000 for violation of Ord. 45-2020 (wearing of masks) and P500 for Ord. 46-2020 (on social distancing) to the city government.
The Manor also paid a total of P17,000 in fines over the incident. In a letter to the city government, it vowed to strictly abide by the health protocols, one of the requirements of the Baguio City Permits and Licensing Division before it can renew its business permit.
The Baguio City Public Information Office said Public Order and Safety Division chief Marvin Herrera issued the citations to the violators at the party.
Last week, Yap said they largely followed protocols, except during the community dancing where many people in their group were seen not wearing masks and standing close to one another.
He also said that he organized his birthday party to promote tourism in Baguio City, which opened its doors to tourists from areas under general community quarantine in Luzon last Oct. 22.
Baguio City will be reverting to GCQ from the most lenient modified GCQ as cases of COVID-19 in the Cordilleras shot up and the region faces the threat of the new, potentially more infectious coronavirus variant.
Vice President Leni Robredo lauded Magalong’s decision to step down as contact tracing czar.
“This should be the response of our public officials who are put in this kind of situation,” Robredo said over radio station dzXL.
“If our public officials are like this, it will boost the people’s respect in our institutions,” she added.
The Vice President said Magalong has played a big role in improving the country’s contact tracing efforts. – Helen Flores