Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya emphasized Wednesday that public officials should serve as role models to entice the people to adhere to health and safety protocols as the country is faced with the daunting task of battling COVID-19.
In a GMA News report, Malaya said that “government officials must take the lead, lead by example.’’
“If the government official is invited to an event but he or she cannot ensure that minimum health standards will be implemented during the event, it will be best if this government official will just decline to attend,” Malaya said.
With officials under the microscope now, Malaya noted that the people expect them to comply with minimum health standards.
“If government officials fail to comply, how can we expect the public to comply? That is why it is very important for us to lead by example,” he added.
The DILG is currently conducting a probe in separate events attended by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Senator Manny Pacquiao in Cebu and Batangas, respectively to determine if social distancing was indeed not observed.
Roque said he had no control over the huge crowd in attendance as he was merely a guest in the event organized by the local government.
He maintained that he still urged the attendees to follow health protocols.
Malaya said it is the police which will conduct the investigation on any violation of quarantine protocols.
He assured that the DILG will impose appropriate penalties for local officials found violating quarantine protocols while those government officials outside the DILG’s authority found defying health standards will face sanctions from the head of their respective agencies.