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ULAP defends over 2,000 barangay execs facing alleged ECQ violations


The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) on Thursday defended the more than 2,000 barangay officials who received show cause orders due to alleged violation of the enhanced quarantine measures.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, ULAP chairman Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. said their group was alarmed that many local officials were being asked to explain their actions.

Thus, Velasco reached out to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año, whose department issued the show cause orders, to defend the officials in question.

“Nakausap ko na po si Secretary Año. Pinaliwanag ko na ‘yung mga direktiba minsan ay hindi naman kumpleto, hindi detalyado,” he said.

“Merong mga provision doon na hindi naiintindihan o maari pong may gray areas,” he added.

The DILG recently issued show cause orders to the chairpersons of some barangays in Metro Manila  for their alleged failure to implement the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine.

According to the DILG, allegations range from failure to implement social distancing, stop cockfighting, failure to disperse crowds at public markets, and distribute relief goods.

Velasco said local officials were also just confused as they were bombarded with many instructions from different government agencies.

“Sa dami po ng inilalabas natin na direktiba mula sa iba’t ibang ahensya ay minsan naguguluhan na rin po ‘yung mga LGU officials,” he said.

Due to this, he suggested that IATF should be the sole source of directives about the ECQ.

Velasco also reminded officials in the national government that not all local authorities have an impressive educational background.

He suggested that directives should be conveyed in a dialect that local officials will surely understand. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News

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