ARTA to QC execs: Explain 'no vax, no quarantine pass' gaffe

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has issued an order to  show cause to two barangay officials in Quezon City over reports that they required vaccination card in issuing quarantine pass.

ARTA's show-cause order came after reports that Barangay Quirino 2B, District III, and Barangay Central District IV, were barring unvaccinated residents from getting quarantine passes needed to avail of essential services during the hard lockdown in Metro Manila.

In GMA News Reporter Luisito Santos' tweet, Barangay Chairman Ritchie Poblacion and Barangay Chairwoman Rosa Magpayo were asked to explain within seven days to prove why they should not be filed criminal, or administrative case over the indiscretion.

According to the orders, both officials could be liable for violation of Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

A QC barangay staff already apologized after she mandated vaccine cards when issuing quarantine passes. 

Due to the indiscretion, vaccine sites were swarmed with people wanting to get inoculated hours before the ECQ enforcement.

According to local officials, vaccination centers also became suddenly overcrowded after a piece of fake information was disseminated that unvaccinated people will not receive cash aid.

Malacañang, meanwhile, clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte's earlier order that unvaccinated people should stay at home must not be blamed for the recent mess at vaccine sites.

In late July, the tough-talking Duterte threatened those hesitant to get COVID-19 jabs, wrongly announcing that those unvaccinated are not allowed outside the house.

"Itong ayaw magbakuna, sinasabi ko sa inyo, 'wag kayong lumabas ng bahay kasi 'pag lumabas kayo, sabihin ko sa mga pulis na ibalik kayo sa bahay niyo because you are a walking spreader," Duterte said.

[People who don't want to get vaccinated, I'm telling you, don't bother going out because if you do go out, I'll tell the police to bring you back to your homes because you are walking spreaders.] —LBG, GMA News