Updated @ 12:11 a.m., April 23, 2020
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued show-cause orders (SCOs) against 29 barangay chiefs in Metro Manila for allegedly violating protocols under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“Yes, we did. To 29 barangay captains,” Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, DILG spokesman, said in a text message when asked about the SCOs on Wednesday.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the DILG issued the SCOs after citizens reported to DILG that their village officials failed to implement social distancing protocols and stop mass gatherings.
“We reached this point because some barangay chief had not been properly watching over their jurisdiction. We can’t be smug about COVID-19, especially it has no cure yet. Many have already died, including doctors and health workers,” a statement quoted Año as saying in Filipino.
The barangay officials given SCOs from the following areas:
- Barangays 11, 12, 20, 154, 220, 350, and 212 in Manila
- Barangays Bagong Silangan, 178, 12, 176, 37, and 129 in Caloocan
- Barangays Libis, Pasong Putik, Pasong Tamo, San Bartolome, Batasan Hills, Payatas, Fairview, Novaliches Proper, and San Antonio in Quezon City
- Barangay Moonwalk in Parañaque
- Barangays Pio Del Pilar and Bangkal in Makati
- Barangay Almanza 2 in Las Piñas
- Barangay Tonsuya in Malabon
- Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong
- Barangay Alabang in Muntinlupa
According to Año, barangay chiefs are mandated to implement rules of the ECQ under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Malaya said they would not yet disclose the names and violations of the local officials as they were still under the “show-cause order stage.”
The local officials swill be asked to respond to the DILG order or face sanctions.
The DILG previously filed SCOs to three provincial governors, two mayors, and local officials in Quezon City and Caloocan City for supposedly violating policies of the ECQ.