DILG orders 5 Cebu City village chiefs, council members to explain constituents’ quarantine violations

CEBU CITY –– The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered five village chiefs here and their respective council members to explain why they should not be charged for allegedly failing to stop some of their constituents from violating certain quarantine measures.

DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela said the concerned barangay officials have 48 hours from receipt of the order to respond.

Among those ordered to explain were captains Catalina Cabardo of Barangay Basak Pardo, Harry Eran of Cogon Pardo, Lourdes Ramirez of Sto. Niño, Clifford Jude Niñal of San Nicolas Proper, and Michael Gacasan of Guadalupe.

The show-cause orders were served by the DILG-7 legal team on Tuesday, July 7.

In a statement, the DILG-7 cited several incidents reported in the media and on social media about violations committed by residents while the city is under enhanced community quarantine due to the rise in new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.

In Basak Pardo, a concerned citizen reported that residents of the village were out on the streets and disregarded the strict implementation of home quarantine and mandatory wearing of face masks. Some residents were also seen playing cara y cruz or coin toss.

In Cogon Pardo, a social media post showed several residents staying outside their houses, some of whom were playing basketball.

In Barangay Sto. Niño, posts of local media outlets showed residents, including children, outside their homes without wearing face masks.

In San Nicolas Proper, the DILG cited media reports about the distribution of rice and relief goods along the barangay road and beyond the curfew hours. Some residents were also seen not wearing face masks and did not observe physical distancing.

In Barangay Guadalupe, the DILG received a complaint from a concerned citizen that a group of people in Don Gervacio Street had a drinking spree and cockfighting, a violation of the quarantine protocols.

Last week, the DILG also served show-cause orders to officials of Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Calamba, and Inayawan for the violations committed by their constituents including, a procession, Sinulog dancing, and a disco.

LZB