DILG: 29 barangay chairpersons told to explain failure to implement quarantine rules

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued show cause orders against 29 barangay captains in Metro Manila.

This was confirmed by DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya on Wednesday to GMA News Online.

Malaya said show cause orders were issued due to the alleged failure of the local officials to implement the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine in their respective areas.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the show cause orders were issued after the agency received reports from concerned citizens about the alleged non-observance of physical distancing as well as mass gatherings in their area.

"Dumating na tayo sa ganitong punto sapagkat hindi maayos na binabantayan ng ilang punong barangay ang kanilang nasasakupan. Hindi puwedeng maging kampante sa COVID-19 lalo’t ‘di pa alam ang lunas nito. Marami na ang nasawi kabilang na ang ilang doktor at health workers,” Año said.

The barangays issued with a show cause order are Barangay 11, 12, 20, 154, 220, 350, and 212 in Manila; Barangay Bagong Silangan, 178, 12, 176, 37, and 129 in Caloocan; Barangay Pasong Putik, Pasong Tamo, San Bartolome, Batasan Hills, Payatas, Fairview, Novaliches Proper, and San Antonio in Quezon City; Barangay Don Bosco, Moonwalk, and Marcela Green in Parañaque; Barangay Pio Del Pilar and Bangkal in Makati; Barangay Almanza 2 in Las Piñas; Barangay Tonsuya in Malabon; and Barangay Alabang in Muntinlupa.

Año said the barangay captains have 48 hours from receipt of the show cause orders to explain why no administrative charges should be filed against them.

Año said barangay captains were liable in properly implementing the quarantine as mandated by the Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which orders local officials to fully cooperate in the cohesive implementation of the national policy to address the pandemic. -NB, GMA News