Metro Manila curfew implementation depends on LGU ordinances –DILG

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday clarified that the imposition and implementation of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) curfew on Metro Manila depended on the ordinances yet to be passed by local government units (LGUs).

“The legal basis for the curfew are the ordinances and the mayors agreed to issue these on Monday. So Monday ito,” Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a text message.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced earlier that it would impose a curfew on Metro Manila as part of the community quarantine measures to control the spread of COVID-19. 

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said that all the mayors in the NCR, as the Metro Manila Council, agreed to issue a resolution to impose a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting March 15 until April 14.

While curfew violators would not be arrested, they would be reminded not to be needlessly out and about.

Malaya, however, said that “curfew implementation is dependent on local ordinances to be approved by each LGU.”

In a separate interview with reporters, the DILG official said Metro Manila mayors have all agreed to adjust their existing curfew hours.

“The PNP (Philippine National Police) is setting up checkpoints starting tomorrow. Since wala pang ordinance, the PNP will... Ang purpose is to limit the movement of people since quarantined ang Metro Manila,” Malaya said.

The DILG official also reiterated that only non-essential movement would be subject to the curfew.

“The curfew is not an imposition of the task force or contained in the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) memorandum,” Malaya said.

“It is an added measure requested and approved by the Metro Manila mayors. Now, it is dependent on the respective city council to pass their ordinance,” he said.

Meanwhile, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the LGUs could impose a curfew within their territories if an ordinance was passed imposing it.

However, Panelo added that Metro Manila mayors’ recommendation to impose a curfew in Metro Manila was subject to the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"The President has yet to consider it," said the spokesperson. — DVM, GMA News