The Manila Police District has beefed up its security measures at a famous food strip in Tondo after people flocked into the area and flouted social distancing protocols on Sunday, September 12.
A video by a local news channel showed how crowded Kalye Ugbo in Barangay 96 was last Sunday (Sept. 12) with people no longer observing social distancing.
In a text message to the Manila Bulletin, MPD Chief Leo Francisco said a dialogue was held between local authorities and stall owners regarding the incident.
A warning was also given to stall owners and barangay officials responsible in the area.
Francisco said there are now a police officer, 15 Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO), and Tactical Motorcycle Riders Unit (TMRU) manning the area to make sure quarantine protocols are observed.
In an interview with DZBB, Lorilario Lacson, barangay captain of Barangay 96, Zone 8, said he was surprised by the number of people who visited the food strip on Sunday, adding that only a few normally visit the strip on a daily basis.
Lacson urged the public to avoid gathering in Kalye Ugbo, saying there are other places where they can buy food.
“Masarap talaga pagkain dito sa Ugbo. Masarap, malasa, pero baka paguwi ng bahay n’yo, wala na kayong panlasa (The food here in ugbo is really good. It’s yummy, tasty, but you might end up going home with your sense of taste already missing),” Lacson said.