Año issues show cause orders to 29 barangay heads in Metro Manila

April 22, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año issued show cause orders to 29 barangay chairpersons in Metro Manila for failing  to properly enforce the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in their communities amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.


Año said  the issuance comes after reports received by the Department of Interior and Local Government ( DILG) from concerned citizens on the non-observance of physical distancing and continuing instances of mass gatherings in their barangays.


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


“We reached this point because some barangay chairmen are not properly securing their areas. We cannot be complacent with COVID-19 especially that we still don’t have a cure. A lot of doctors and health workers already died,” he said.


Año said Interior Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs, Martin Diño  is leading the issuance of the show cause order to the punong barangays, who must explain under oath within 48 hours from receipt why no administrative charges should be filed against them.


This includes the possible imposition of suspension pendente lite or during the litigation for failure to perform their mandated duties and functions in enforcing strict physical distancing directives or the ECQ to slow the spread of and to defeat the  COVID-19 in their local government unit (LGU).


“Failure to submit their explanation shall be deemed a waiver thereof,” Año said.


The DILG chief said punong barangays are legally liable in properly implementing the ECQ as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which orders LGUs to cooperate in the cohesive implementation of the national policy to address the public health emergency.


In line with this is the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-62 dated March 21, 2020 which enjoins LGUs to strictly deter mass gatherings. Ella Dionisio/DMS