THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday appealed to the public to accord proper respect to barangay officials who are enforcing quarantine guidelines set down by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in line with government approaches to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya, during the “Laging Handa” press briefing, cited reports submitted to the agency about barangay leaders attacked or harassed for limiting the movement of persons in their jurisdictions.
Underscoring the roles of barangay executives in carrying out national regulations, Malaya said: “Siguraduhin natin ‘yung kanilang kapakanan (Let us ensure their welfare).”
Malaya said policemen have received instructions to ensure the protection and security of barangay officials, especially in highly populated areas where the number of violations of quarantine rules is high.
SAMPALOC QUARANTINE
Malaya said the IATF-EID has given Manila Mayor Isko Moreno the green-light to put the city’s Sampaloc district under “hard” lockdown in a bid to control the rising number of residents infected with the fatal virus.
“Siya (Moreno) po ay may kaukulang authority from the IATF national na kung saan pwede siyang mag-implement ng mga polisiya na applicable sa kanyang lugar (He [Moreno] has authority from the IATF national to implement policies applicable in his area),” Malaya said.
Malaya said the hard lockdown in Sampaloc was coordinated with the DILG and with the Department of Health.
‘POCKET’ LOCKDOWN
The imposition of curfew hours in Muntinlupa City is not effective, and Mayor Jaime Fresnedi is looking at enforcing “pocket” lockdowns in areas with high concentration of confirmed, suspect, and probable cases of COVID-19.
“It has become evident that curfew hours are not effective deterrent for the public to stay at home. I have instructed barangay chairmen to coordinate with PNP Muntinlupa to look into imposing pocket lockdown in their respective areas. Upon their assessment, they can implement tougher quarantine measures to reduce the risks of transmission in their barangays,” Fresnedi said.
In Barangay Poblacion, a modified lockdown is now in effect, with residents allowed to go out of their homes to buy essential goods only from 6 a.m. to noon.
Residents who tested positive for COVID-19, probable, and suspect cases, including their families, are prohibited from leaving their houses. The barangay unit will provide food assistance and other supplies to the families.
On Fresnedi’s instruction, flea markets (“talipapa”) in Muntinlupa can operate only from 6 a.m. to noon, while the Muntinlupa City public market in Alabang and other supermarkets in the city will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Muntinlupa City recently enforced a 24-hour curfew, an anti-hoarding ordinance, and closure of malls and other non-essential establishments; banned the sale, delivery, and consumption of liquor and other alcoholic drinks; and prohibited spitting and disposal of personal protective equipment in public places.
As of April 22, Muntinlupa City Health Office has recorded 129 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 18 deaths and 19 recovered cases. — With Noel Talacay
