LGUs in the Philippines

Report local officials who fail to enforce mass gathering rules – DILG

Rappler.com

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Report local officials who fail to enforce mass gathering rules – DILG

VACCINATION DRIVE. Filipino health workers and people with comorbidities wait to get COVID-19 vaccines at the Makati Coliseum on May 4, 2021.

Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters

Erring local chief executives may face administrative complaints or criminal cases, says the Department of the Interior and Local Government

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the public can report local officials who fail to enforce rules on mass gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement on Sunday, May 9, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said citizens may file complaints against local chief executives (LCEs) if they fail to implement mass gathering regulations in their area, as stated in the Omnibus Guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Complaints may be sent via email or made via phone call to the nearest DILG regional office or field office. The public may also contact the DILG Emergency Operations Center through email at dilgeoc.complaint@gmail.com or through phone at (02) 8876-3454 local 881 to 884.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año emphasized the crucial role of local government units (LGUs) in enforcing regulations on mass gatherings because they are nearer to their constituents compared to the national government.

“What LCEs can do is to adopt and implement guidelines and policies of the Inter-Agency Task Force as well as enact necessary local policies to support these regulations,” he said.

Otherwise, “Maaaring administrative complaint or criminal case ang isampa laban sa pabayang LCEs. Hindi po gusto ng DILG na dumating sa puntong gawin ito kaya sana ipatupad nang maayos ng LGUs ang polisiya sa mass gatherings ayon sa quarantine classification sa kanilang lugar,” said Año.

(An administrative complaint or a criminal case may be filed against the negligent LCEs. The DILG does not want to reach that point, so we hope the LGUs implement the policies on mass gatherings according to the quarantine classifications in their area.)

Any violation of the prohibitions in the Omnibus Guidelines will constitute non-cooperation of the person or entities, which is punishable under Section 9 (d) or (e) of Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

Local officials who fail to enforce IATF resolutions may face charges of dereliction of duty based on Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code. Administrative sanctions may likewise be imposed on them under the Local Government Code, said the DILG.

Año urged higher LGU levels like provinces to exercise their power of supervision over their component local units. He also directed the Philippine National Police to strictly enforce all guidelines on mass gatherings.

What are the rules on mass gatherings?

Malaya reiterated the following rules, in line with the IATF’s Omnibus Guidelines as of April 15.

Gatherings outside residences and gatherings at residences are prohibited in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified ECQ, and general community quarantine (GCQ). Meanwhile, gatherings are allowed up to 50% seating or venue capacity for areas under modified GCQ.

Gatherings for the provision of government services and authorized humanitarian activities are allowed in all areas under all quarantine levels.

The following are the rules for religious gatherings:

  • Under ECQ – prohibited, but religious ministers and their assistants may conduct religious services through online video recording and transmission
  • Under MECQ – allowed up to 10% but may be increased to 30% of seating capacity, subject to LGU regulations
  • Under GCQ – allowed up to 30% but may be increased to 50% of seating capacity, subject to LGU regulations
  • Under MGCQ – allowed up to 50% of seating capacity, limited to religious worship or service and subject to LGU regulations

Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 are allowed, but are only limited to family members in both ECQ and MECQ areas. In areas under GCQ, gatherings are allowed up to 30% of the venue’s capacity, but the LGU may increase it to 50%. Under MGCQ, they are allowed up to 50% capacity.

Mass gatherings such as movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, entertainment activities, and work conferences are prohibited in areas under ECQ, MECQ, and GCQ. However, in areas under MGCQ, they are allowed up to 50% capacity in compliance with ventilation standards set by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Finally, gatherings initiated by LGUs in areas under ECQ, MECQ, and GCQ are limited to those essential for the provision of health or government services or humanitarian activities, subject to prior authority from the appropriate government agency. In areas under MGCQ, any activity up to 50% capacity will be allowed, subject to DOLE ventilation standards. – Rappler.com

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