Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16) — Three governors and four mayors are facing ‘show cause‘ orders for supposedly violating quarantine policy set by the national government amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The officials who were issued the ‘show cause‘ orders by the department include: Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri, Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao, and Abra Governor Jocelyn Bernos.
The DILG also explained that the concerned mayors and governors released executive orders that do not abide with guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
“Kailangan na namin sila padalhan ng show cause order para pagpaliwanagin lang ang kanilang mga executive order,” DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing told CNN Philippines’ Balitaan.
[Translation: We needed to send them a show cause order so they could explain their executive orders.]
Densing explained that Abra’s governor has prohibited the exit of agricultural products, disrupting all of Luzon’s food supply chain, while the governor of Antique disallowed the entry of cargo, specifically construction materials.
The government had earlier assured the free movement of all types of cargo to, within, and from Luzon, despite being placed under enhanced community quarantine.
The governor of Bukdinon, however, released an executive order stopping all operations of companies in the province from April 13 to April 20, 2020. This has hampered the activities of firms producing food such as pineapples, bananas, and rice, explained Densing.
Densing said Noveleta, Cavite Mayor Dino Reyes Chua, Talisay, Batangas Mayor Gerry Natauan, Dao, Capiz Mayor Ernesto Escutin, and Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. have also been flagged for violations.
“Sa mga mayor naman, puro mass gathering ito at meron na silang mga show cause order,” said Densing.
[Translation: For the mayors, all (their violations) are mass gathering and they already have show cause orders.]
Mass gatherings have been restricted under quarantine policy.
“Pag hindi pa rin nila itinatama at hindi katanggap-tanggap ang paliwanag, nagbigay na po ng panuntunan si Secretary Año na i-elevate na natin ito sa Office of the President para sila’y patawan ng automatic na two-month preventive suspension sa lagay ng ating mga gobernador,” said Densing.
[Translation: If they don’t correct (their executive orders) and their explanations are unacceptable, Secretary Año has already released guidelines saying we will bring this up to the Office of the President so that a two-month preventive suspension will automatically be imposed on our (erring) governors.]
A suspension also awaits concerned mayors, should they provide unacceptable explanations, Densing added.
On Thursday, Año said more show cause orders will be issued against local chief executives as the department had already exhausted all means of dialogue with LGUs.
READ: DILG issues show cause orders to barangay captains for ECQ violations
“We consider LGUs as our partners from the very beginning, but once we have exhausted all avenues for dialogue, we have no choice but to start filing cases. Hahabulin namin sila,” he said.
[Translation: We will go after them.]
