A Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) official warned the public on Monday, May 24, against holding pool parties, saying it is considered illegal based on the quarantine protocols.
In a virtual news briefing, DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya made the warning in the wake of the pool party incident in barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, Quezon City wherein 54 of those who attended tested positive for coronavirus.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has issued a show-cause-order to the Barangay Captain of Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon.
She noted that reports reached her office that a three-day fiesta celebration occurred in the said barangay from May 9 to 11.
Malaya said the DILG is also conducting its own probe on the incident.
The DILG official also reminded the local government officials including those from the barangays and the police commanders that they will be held accountable for any “super spreader’’ events in their respective jurisdictions.
With the President’s order, Malaya directed the LGUs and the Philippine National Police (PNP) precinct commanders to conduct continuous and relentless monitoring of mass gathering incidents.
He warned that the DILG will reassign and remove PNP precinct commanders if they fail to act immediately while non-complying barangay officials stand to face charges of dereliction of duty and negligence.
Malaya explained that the threat of COVID-19 still remains as the country has not yet reached herd protection.
Currently the vaccinated Filipinos have reached four million, which is still far off from the 70 million inoculation target.