Barangay exec, officers apologize over ‘lugaw’ incident that went viral

MANILA, Philippines — Local officials of Barangay Muzon in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan apologized Friday for stopping a delivery man from delivering food during curfew hours despite exemptions.

In a video posted on Facebook, Barangay Muzon chief Marciano Gatchalian extended his apologies to the public as well as delivery man Marvin Ignacio over the incident that has become viral and even reached the Malacanang.

“Ako po’y naririto upang makapag-bigay ng pahayag, paliwanag, at makahingi na rin ng pahumanhin sa ating publiko, są ating kinauukulan, sa mga nakakataas sa ating pamahalaan, lalong-lalo na sa iyo Marvin, muli akong humihingi ng paumanhin, at sa may-ari na rin ng Lugaw Pilipinas [store],” Gatchalian said.

(I am here to give a statement, explanation and also to apologize to the public, to our authorities, to the higher-up in government, especially to you Marvin I am saying sorry, and to the owner of Lugaw Pilipinas.)

Gatchalian said he does not tolerate any shortcomings and mistakes committed by barangay officers, saying that he has been constantly reminding them to be respectful in the implementation of the protocols while Bulacan is placed under enhanced community quarantine due to the pandemic.

“Lagi kong ipinapaalala są kanila na maging magalang, tama ang approach at pakikipag-usap, laging may maximum tolerance,” Gatchalian said.

(I always remind them to be courteous, do the right approach in talking to people, always observe maximum tolerance.)

“‘Yan po’y hindi nawawala sa aking briefing upang sa ganun ay hindi mao-offend ang mga taong mapagi-implementahan lalong-lalo na ngayong pandemic at maigting na pag-implement ng curfew,” he added.

(Those are not missing in my briefing so as not to offend people who are affected by the implementation of [curfew and enhanced community quarantine] especially now in time of pandemic when curfew is being observed strictly.)

One of the barangay officers in the viral “lugaw” video apologizes. Screengrab of the video uploaded by Barangay Muzon in its Facebook page

Pez Raymundo, another barangay employee, also apologized for the remarks she made to Ignacio. It was not clear, however, what Raymundo was referring to but in the viral video, there was a female official who can be heard saying that rice porridge or “lugaw” is not a necessary item and that people can survive without it.

“Sa iyo, Marvin, kung na-offend ka doon sa aking nabanggit, ako ay humihingi ng pahumanhin. Kasama na rin doon ang may ari ng establishment at doon sa mga Grab drivers,” Raymundo said.

(To you Marvin, if you were offended by what I said, I apologize. Also included is the owner of the establishment and to other Grab drivers.)

“Sa mga netizens, alam kong naapektuhan kayo doon sa aking nabanggit. Hindi ko gusto na ma-offend kayo, yun ay hindi intentional. Dahil late na ng madaling araw ‘yun, napagod din siguro ako, nagkamali ako ng pagpili ng salita na hindi akma doon sa aking pinapaliwanag kay Marvin,” she added.

(To the netizens, I know you were also affected in what I said. It wasn’t my intension to offend you, that was really not intentional. Because it was very late, it was early dawn I was tired, I committed a mistake in my choice of words, which are not in accordance with what I was explaining to Marvin.)

Two more barangay employees also apologized for the alleged “harassment” that transpired during their delivery of a city ordinance to Lugaw Pilipinas.

On Thursday night, Ignacio cried help on social media after being allegedly “harassed” by two men who sought to close down Lugaw Pilipinas.

“Wala kaming intention na sila ay harass-in o masaktan. Ang gusto lang namin ay ibigay yung papel para may kopya sila. Pasensya na Marvin, pati na rin sa may-ari ng Lugaw Pilipinas, pati na rin sa mga netizen na nakapanood nito,” one of the men said.

At the end of the video, Gatchalian said the incident will serve as a learning experience to correct the mistakes of the barangay officials.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has said that “lugaw” and any food products are considered essential goods and their delivery should remain unhampered.

JPV