Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 22) — Local government units may implement their own hard lockdown measures and bar residents from leaving their homes to further contain the spread of COVID-19.
The Department of Interior and Local Government made this pronouncement after the Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso imposed a 48-hour shutdown in Sampaloc district starting at 8 p.m. Thursday.
“Si Mayor Isko po…siya ay may kaukulang authority na pwedeng mag-implement ng polisiya na applicable sa kanyang lugar,” DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said during the Laging Handa virtual press briefing.
[Translation: Mayor Isko Moreno has the corresponding authority to implement the applicable policy in his area.]
“Iyong mga ganyang hakbangin po, so long as they (LGUs) are closely coordinated with the DILG, ay pinapayagan po ng ating IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force),” Malaya added.
[Translation: These steps, so long as LGUs are closely coordinated with the DILG, are allowed by the IATF.]
The Department of Health said there are 99 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sampaloc, with 159 suspected cases. The district has the highest number of infection in Manila City to date.
Meanwhile, the DILG recently summoned 29 barangay chairpersons in Metro Manila for their failure to implement the enhanced community quarantine in their own areas.
Without naming names, the agency already issued show cause orders against village officials from Barangay 11, 12, 20, 154, 220, 350, and 212 in Manila; Barangay Bagong Silangan, 178, 12, 176, 37, and 129 in Caloocan; Barangay Pasong Putik, Pasong Tamo, San Bartolome, Batasan Hills, Payatas, Fairview, Novaliches Proper, and San Antonio in Quezon City; Barangay Don Bosco, Moonwalk, and Marcela Green in Parañaque; Barangay Pio Del Pilar and Bangkal in Makati; Barangay Almanza 2 in Las Piñas; Barangay Tonsuya in Malabon; and Barangay Alabang in Muntinlupa.
The DILG said that barangay chairpersons are legally liable in properly implementing the enhanced community quarantine as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
President Rodrigo Duterte will meet the IATF at 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss their recommendations for the fate of the Luzon-wide quarantine. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he is not sure if Duterte will make the decision within the day as there may be more clarifications on the IATF suggestions.
The Philippines currently has a total of 6,710 COVID-19 cases, with 693 recoveries and 446 deaths.
