Año urges LGUs to enforce ordinances to protect frontline workers

April 10, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año urged all local government units to pass and enforce anti-discrimination and anti-harassment ordinances to protect frontline workers fighting against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We are alarmed by the reports that reach our office on the harassment and discrimination experienced by our frontline workers including health professionals, police, military, essential services personnel, and government and non-government social workers.  They are the heroes in our fight against COVID-19 but they are experiencing discrimination and harassment,” Año said.

He said LGUs should act swiftly and enact or issue the necessary directive to safeguard those working in the frontlines.

“It is almost a month since the declaration of a state of public health emergency nationwide and enhanced community quarantine in the entire Luzon. I encourage all local chief executives to fast track the passing and implementation of anti-discrimination ordinance,” he said

“The national government is relying on the action of the LGUs on the ongoing discrimination against frontline workers. Let us accord them the dignity and honor they deserve for their courage and service in the fight against the deadly COVID-19,” he added.

Año issued the directive as the government continues to receive reports on discrimination against health workers, uniformed personnel, and those working in essential services.

Reported incidents range from verbal discrimination to harmful situation like throwing of bleach to the face of a health worker and the shooting of an ambulance driver.

He lauded some LGUs that have passed an ordinance on anti-discrimination of frontline workers amid the enhanced community quarantine like Manila and Muntinlupa City.

Año said that local ordinances are more responsive and tailor-fit to the situation since Congress is not in session and it would take a while before a national law could be passed.

He stressed proper enforcement of ordinances prohibiting specific acts of discrimination against frontline workers and imposing penalties for violations.

“The DILG will monitor the compliance of LGUs in the directive of Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to pass anti-discrimination executive orders or ordinances for our frontline workers,” Año said.

The DILG is also asking LGUs to include overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who returned to their provinces amid the global pandemic, in their ordinances.

Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, the DILG spokesman, said the anti-harassment and anti-discrimination ordinance should also cover COVID-19 victims as well as persons under monitoring (PUM) and persons under investigation (PUIs).

“The law should protect them as well. They did not choose to be sick. They should also be afforded the State’s protection and care,” he said.

Malaya reiterated the pronouncement of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that they will provide assistance to those who suffer discrimination due to Covid-19.

The DOJ said their investigators, prosecutors, and legal officers have been directed to provide legal assistance to frontline workers by approaching the nearest office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Public Attorney’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office, DOJ action center, or directly to the Office of the Secretary.

President Rodrigo Duterte has also earlier ordered police and military to watch out for anyone who will harass health workers.

According to the Department of Health, there are various reports regarding discrimination against frontliners who are being refused basic services like public transport, laundry service, entry to supermarket or grocery stores, or being evicted from their lodging or housing.

The IATF-MEID said acts of discrimination, such as, but not limited to, coercion, libel, slander, physical injuries, and dishonor of contractual obligations such as contracts of lease or employment shall be dealt with criminally, civilly and/or administratively. Ella Dionisio/DMS