Another barangay official was served a show-cause order by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) for refusing to give quarantine passes to those not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
ARTA sent Barangay San Isidro Chairman Noel Japlos of Parañaque City the show-cause order via email on Tuesday (Aug. 10).
He was ordered to explain within seven days why he should not be charged for refusing to accept applications or requests with complete documents being submitted and for imposing additional requirements not listed in the Citizen’s Charter.
These are violations under Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
The show-cause order was served after a Facebook post of Japlos explaining the guidelines for the distribution of quarantine passes was forwarded by a concerned citizen to ARTA.
“Ang bibigyan lang po ng Q-Pass ay ‘yung mga fully vaccinated,” Japlos said in the video.
ARTA Director-General Sec. Jeremiah Belgica said this is a red tape issue because there is no rule stating that those claiming quarantine passes must be vaccinated.
“Naiintindihan ko po ang kagustuhan ng mga barangay officials nating mag-ingat ngayong pandemya. Pero tigilan na po natin ang pagpapahirap sa mga tao. Huwag na po natin silang dagdagan ng mga requirements na hindi naman kabilang sa mga itinakda ng gobyerno,” he said.
“Hindi po titigil ang ARTA sa pagmamatiyag, kahit ngayong ECQ. Kaya sundin nalang po natin ang batas at baka kayo’y makasuhan pa,” the ARTA chief warned.
On Aug. 6, the Authority also served show-cause orders against two other barangay executives for requiring vaccination cards from those claiming quarantine passes. (ARTA) – jlo
