Implement strict lockdowns, Año orders barangay officials

March 18, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday said he ordered barangay officials to implement strict lockdown in their areas after the entire Luzon island was placed under enhanced community quarantine due to 2019 coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

“I directed the barangay captain and barangay officials on every barangay that they should implement the lockdown,” Año said in a radio interview.

Año assured the local officials that police officers and the military units will  support them.

“We have more or less in the entire Luzon- we are talking about 25,000 barangays here in Luzon so the police and military cannot guard all the areas because checkpoints are only placed on strategic areas… that’s why if you are just slacking there, I will run after you,” Año warned.

Año said the public can report to them any local officials who are not doing their job.

“Undersecretary Martin Diño is monitoring them all the time, he is checking on the performance of the barangay officials but in fairness also we have seen a lot of barangay captain who are working hard and really doing job,” he said.

He urged all barangay officials to use all their resources, such as megaphones and vehicles which they have used during the election campaign.

“We really have to implement this strictly,” Año said.

Año also said it is the local chief executives who are responsible in informing parents to prevent their children from going outside their homes.

“The local chief executives should lead in here and we can see that all the mayors here in National Capital Region is working hard,” he said.

In a statement later, Año said community-based transmissionsbe stopped if the people are continuously reminded and advised to quit leaving their residences for unnecessary activities.

"This is a total lockdown. This is not a joke. Make sure that the residents in your area will not loiter and make gathering for we are trying to lessen the movement of people to the barest minimum,” he said.

He clarified that those who are going to buy food or medicine or even those who are going to the hospitals will be allowed to go out but reminded barangay officials to ensure that only one member of the family will be allowed.

Año said fiestas, karakols, parades, and other related public assemblies; common religious congregations; gaming parlours, computer gaming shops, wellness centers, cockpits arenas, public playgrounds, basketball courts, beaches, and public parks, tiangges, open dry good markets, and sidewalk vending are prohibited and should be closed.

"We are only asking little sacrifice from our barangay captains, even to the people. Don’t go out of your homes,” he said.

Barangays should also ensure that the citizens are practicing proper quarantine and social distancing measures, and that immediate health protocols are in place.

They should also mobilize their Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT) and establish Barangay Isolation Units (BIU).

Año said that barangay officials may face charges of gross neglect of duty, gross negligence and insubordination for failing to perform their responsibilities under the state of public health emergency. Ella Dionisio/DMS