Año: Local chief executives must comply with implementation of lawful ECQ measures
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday reminded the local chief executives (LCEs) to be physically present in their respective jurisdictions during this emergency health crisis.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Local officials were also ordered to comply with the DILG directive or run the risk of being charged with administrative cases since they are the chairpersons of their respective local disaster risk reduction and management councils. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said that the DILG has kept a tight watch on the presence of local officials during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) still in effect up to April 30 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. At present, Año said that all the governors, mayors, and even barangay captains are up to the task but stressed that the DILG will continuously monitor their presence to ensure that law and order are sustained. Año also asked the LCEs never to go overboard and just enforce lawful ECQ measures that are compliant with policies set by the national government. Stressing his point, Año asked them not to contradict the sets of guidelines imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in manning their areas of responsibilities with regards to the implementation of the ECQ rules. The DILG has been persistently bombarded with complaints that some LGUs have imposed stricter regulations than what was prescribed by the law. Año said the flimsy reason by the errant LGUs that stricter regulations are meant to protect their people is unacceptable since the national laws are also geared toward protecting the great majority. Citing an example, Año said the regulations set by LGUs which run contrary to the IATF guidelines have hampered the flow of goods and has caused distress to the frontliners passing through their localities. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) states that all cargoes should have unhampered access to ensure stable supply of food and other basic necessities. Año has submitted the list of erring governors and mayors to President Rodrigo Duterte for possible sanctions if they fail to justify their defiance of the IATF-EID guidelines. The DILG chief said the agency’s legal department is scrutinizing the explanation and response to the complaints.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Local officials were also ordered to comply with the DILG directive or run the risk of being charged with administrative cases since they are the chairpersons of their respective local disaster risk reduction and management councils. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said that the DILG has kept a tight watch on the presence of local officials during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) still in effect up to April 30 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. At present, Año said that all the governors, mayors, and even barangay captains are up to the task but stressed that the DILG will continuously monitor their presence to ensure that law and order are sustained. Año also asked the LCEs never to go overboard and just enforce lawful ECQ measures that are compliant with policies set by the national government. Stressing his point, Año asked them not to contradict the sets of guidelines imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in manning their areas of responsibilities with regards to the implementation of the ECQ rules. The DILG has been persistently bombarded with complaints that some LGUs have imposed stricter regulations than what was prescribed by the law. Año said the flimsy reason by the errant LGUs that stricter regulations are meant to protect their people is unacceptable since the national laws are also geared toward protecting the great majority. Citing an example, Año said the regulations set by LGUs which run contrary to the IATF guidelines have hampered the flow of goods and has caused distress to the frontliners passing through their localities. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) states that all cargoes should have unhampered access to ensure stable supply of food and other basic necessities. Año has submitted the list of erring governors and mayors to President Rodrigo Duterte for possible sanctions if they fail to justify their defiance of the IATF-EID guidelines. The DILG chief said the agency’s legal department is scrutinizing the explanation and response to the complaints.