Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 22) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government has served a show cause order to some 29 barangay chiefs in Metro Manila over alleged failure to implement enhanced community quarantine measures amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
The DILG said it has received reports from concerned citizens regarding the non-observance of social distancing and the conduct of mass gatherings in their communities.
“Dumating na tayo sa ganitong punto sapagkat hindi maayos na binabantayan ng ilang punong barangay ang kanilang nasasakupan. Hindi pwedeng magaing kampante sa COVID-19 lalo’t ‘di pa alam ang lunas nito. Marami na ang nasawi, kabilang na ang ilang doktor at health workers,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in a press statement Wednesday.
[Translation: We have reached this point because some barangay officials are lax toward their constituents. We cannot be complacent about COVID-19, especially since there is still no cure for it. Many have already died, including some doctors and health workers.]
“Maging sino man ay gusto nang makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay. Para magawa ito ay kailangan maging disiplinado ang bawat isa, bawat pamilya, bawat lokal na pamahalaan mula sa barangay; para maayos na maipatupad ang ECQ; nang hindi kumalat ang virus,” he added.
[Translation: Anyone would want to go back to normal. To do this, every one, every family, every local government should have discipline; so we can properly implement the ECQ, as well as control the spread of the virus.]
The DILG said its Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs, Martin Diño, is handling the matter.
It pointed out that administrative charges may be filed against the barangay executives, which include the imposition of suspension pendente lite (or suspension during the litigation) for their “failure to perform their mandated duties and functions in enforcing strict physical distancing directives, or the ECQ.”
The DILG reiterated that the concerned officials should be able to submit their explanation within 48 hours from receipt of the show cause order.
Meanwhile, Interior Spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya underscored the crucial role of the barangay chairmen in the fight against COVID-19.
“Kayong mga nasa barangay ang mas nakakaalam at nakakakita ng sitwasyon sa komunidad. Kayo ang mga kamay at paa ng gobyerno. Kaya kritikal ang papel ninyo sa pagbabantay kung nasusunod ba [nang] maayos ang ECQ, at kung [ano-ano] ang mga pangangailangan ng taumbayan,” he said.
[Translation: Those of you in the barangays are the ones who know the real situation of the community. You are the hands and the feet of the government. Your role is critical in implementing the ECQ, and in addressing the needs of the people.]
Malaya said the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) should also help the Contact Tracing Teams (CTTs) of LGUs.
“Lalo’t higit kailangan ang kooperasyon sa paglaban sa COVID-19 ngayong maraming buhay na ang nawala, at patuloy na nagsasakripisyo ang mga mamamayan sa kawalan ng hanapbuhay. ‘Wag na po ninyo hintaying masampulan, masita, at mabigyan ng show cause order. Gawin ninyo na po ang inyong tungkulin sa inyong constituents,” he emphasized.
[Translation: We need your cooperation in the COVID-19 battle now more than ever — as plenty of lives have already been lost; and many of our citizens are suffering because of the work stoppage. Do not wait to be served with a show cause order. Do your duty to your constituents.]
The barangays issued with a show cause order are Barangay 11, 12, 20, 154, 220, 350, and 212 in Manila; Barangay Bagong Silangan, 12, 37, 129, 176, and 178 in Caloocan; Barangay Batasan Hills, Fairview, Novaliches Proper, Pasong Putik, Pasong Tamo, Payatas, San Antonio and San Bartolome in Quezon City; Barangay Don Bosco, Marcela Green, and Moonwalk in Parañaque; Barangay Bangkal and Pio Del Pilar in Makati; Barangay Almanza 2 in Las Piñas; Barangay Tonsuya in Malabon; and Barangay Alabang in Muntinlupa.
Through the Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” LGUs, including barangay captains, have been ordered to cooperate in the implementation of the national policy intended to address the COVID-19 pandemic. They were also tasked to prohibit mass gatherings, in line with the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-62.
President Rodrigo Duterte has put the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine on March 17. Unless extended, it will be in place until April 30.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte will decide on the fate of the lockdown on Thursday, April 23.
