By Rod Lagusad
Barangay chairmen in Manila are now authorized to declare a lockdown in their respective areas after Mayor Isko Moreno signed an executive order empowering barangays.
“Palalakasin natin ang kapangyarihan, diskresyon at pangangalaga sa ating community members through the barangay officials (Let us strengthen the power, discretion and care for our community members through the barangay officials,” Mayor Moreno announced.
The local chief stressed that because of this, the process of decision making will be much faster.
Under the Executive Order 12, barangay chairpersons could declare a lockdown if there are 10 or more active cases in their respective areas of authority.
“Within three (3) hours from its issuance, the Order placing the barangay, or portion thereof, under Critical Zone Containment shall be forwarded to the City Mayor for his confirmation,” the order stated.
Before the barangay could start its lockdown, the Manila Health Department will have to verify the reported cases. A two-day prior notice must be given to affected residents, businesses and other stakeholders.
Currently, the city government has imposed a four-day lockdown in 29 barangays. The country’s capital also imposed a street and a clustering lockdown in two other areas.
One of those barangays is Barangay 256 which reported 12 active COVID-19 cases. The barangay is on lockdown since Monday, March 22, and will end tonight, March 25.
Barangay Chairman Ramon Perez said that their residents complied with the rules of the lockdown. He is glad with the new executive order signed by Mayor Moreno as this will help people in the ground like them.
“Para mabigyan kami ng karapatan din po na initially mag-conduct kami ng lockdown. Siyempre kami ‘yung nasa ground. Kami po ang nakakaalam kung ilang piraso na po ang aming mga cases (So that we will be given the right to initially conduct a lockdown. We are on the ground. We are the ones who know the number of our cases),” Perez affirmed.
Meanwhile, the Manila Mayor reported yesterday a 72 percent occupancy rate or 223 out of 310 COVID beds are already occupied in the city. As of 12 noon of March 25, Manila has reported 510 new cases with 3,511 active COVID-19 cases.
