The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday, June 1, signed a joint memorandum circular with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to clarify the guidelines on the implementation of COVID-19 safety measures and the liabilities of violators and erring government officials.
Año, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, and PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar signed the JMC in a virtual ceremony to enhance the implementation of COVID-19 protocols more than a year since the first lockdown was announced in March 2020.
“Habang hinihintay natin 'yong vaccines ay maipatupad pa rin ang paghihigpit sa pagtupad ng batas at ordinances (While waiting for the arrival of the vaccines, we want to strictly enforce the laws and ordinances),’’ Año said.
He said that the JMC will boost the enforcement of the minimum health and safety standard regulations.
He attributed the rampant violation of protocol violations to "pandemic fatigue" as the year-long pandemic prompted some individuals to engage in recreational activities despite its prohibition.
“Even a healthy person gets tired that is why we are here for the people to enforce our laws. And if the laws can be implemented, it will surely develop the instinct and discipline of the people of not needing the presence of (law enforcers) for them to be disciplined" Año said.
Under the guidelines, the DILG shall require the local government units (LGUs) and the PNP to establish holding areas where the violators will be brought in.
He stressed that the minimum health and safety standard violators will not be placed with common criminals to avoid the overcrowding of jail cells and transmission of COVID-19.
Local ordinances that are individually being implemented by the LGUs will also be applied in the arrest of protocol violators.
Aside from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines, Año added that Republic Act 1132 and the Local Government Code can determine what penalties or sanctions can be used against the violators.
Erring officials are also accountable if they violate the health and safety protocols, or if they were negligent in prosecuting the violators, or if they fail to enforce the law.
“And then the responsibility of the barangay captains and the barangay officials, isinama din natin dito (were also included),’’ the DILG chief said.
With the tie-up, Año pointed out that the PNP and the barangays will have synchronized working arrangements under the guidelines.
He maintained that the PNP should coordinate with the LGUs and must be aware of local ordinances that would legalize any arrests or apprehensions of the violators.
On the other hand, Año said that the DOJ will ensure that the prosecutors will act fast on the inquest proceedings, investigation process, or dismissal of the cases.