DILG to LGUs: Enhance ordinances as public, law enforcers exhausted after a year of pandemic

Local governments have to enhance their ordinances so the public will still observe health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as the country will soon mark the first year of restrictions due to the pandemic, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Sunday.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, DILG officer-in-charge Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr. said the public and the law enforcers are already exhausted over these restrictions.

“Totoo 'yun kasi sa March 16, one year na tayo exactly. Kasi March 16 tayo last year nag-declare ng lockdown sa Luzon. Kumbaga exhausted na rin ang mga tao pati na rin 'yung ating mga law enforcers,” he said.

“Dahil nga diyan, nagpalabas kami ng another memo sa ating mga LGUs [local government units] na kailangan meron silang ordinansa. And then kung may existing sila na ordinances dapat i-enhance nila,” he added.

According to Florece, the DILG advised LGUs to have standardized penalties for violations.

Recently, several health protocols and requirements have been removed or loosened.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Managing Emerging Infectious Diseases earlier issued Resolution No. 101 for streamlined protocols across all LGUs.

Under the resolution, travelers do not need to undergo COVID-19 testing unless required by the LGU prior to travel. Only RT-PCR test is allowed.

Travel authority, which was previously issued by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, as well as health certificates will no longer be required.

Also, travelers will no longer be subjected to quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms at the destination upon arrival.

League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) president and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. said most LGUs are opposing the removal and easing of the health protocols and requirements.

However, Florece said the changes earned a consensus among local government organizations.

“Nagkaroon lang ng misinterpretation doon sa IATF guidelines 'yung No.101. Kaya nga magpapalabas na lang kami ng advisory para iisa lang ‘yung interpretation,” he said.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country reached 591,138 on Saturday. Of this number, 535,350 recovered while 12,465 died. —KG, GMA News