Duterte tells LGUs: Follow national government

President Rodrigo Duterte has told local government units to keep in step with the national government in the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon in a bid to combat the spread of COVID-19.

In an address streamed online early Friday morning, Duterte called out LGUs that implemented its own policies different from those set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

"Do not make this quarantine more difficult for the people than it already is," Duterte said. "LGUs should take note of this."

He added: "If you go beyond the standards that we have set, you are abusing your authority."

In particular, Duterte called out local governments supposedly implementing different policies when it comes to the movement of cargo and goods.

"When the (IATF) says do not restrict the cargo of whatever type, then no LGU should say they only... allow food or essential goods to come in. You are already setting your standards and making this quarantine more difficult for all," Duterte said.

The Department of Trade and Industry had earlier assured that vehicles transporting essential goods such as food, medicine, and medical equipment will be free to move.

Duterte directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice to monitor and study possible charges against LGUs that do not comply.

"Let us work together to implement this quarantine," Duterte said. "To do otherwise would sow confusion."

He underscored the need that the programs from the national government will cascade down to the local government units.

He underscored the need for the coordination of programs from the national government down to the local government units.

"We move in one direction in one unison precisely to place the contagion in control for the better health of the Filipino people, for the country," he said.

"Sundin na lang natin, para naman ito sa lahat," Duterte added.

The Palace earlier thumbed down appeals from Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto to allow tricycles to continue operating amid the quarantine to transport essential workers and people who need to go to hospitals.

Sotto initially allowed tricycles to continue plying the roads of Pasig despite the enforcement of the quarantine, but later on retracted his order to comply with the national government. . --JST, GMA News