By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan / Philippine News Agency
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año on Sunday (Dec. 12) said he will issue guidelines to local government units (LGUs) pertaining to the activities of electoral aspirants ahead of the start of the campaign period in February next year.
“Ako mismo, maglalabas ako ng guidelines para sa mga LGUs [kung] ano ‘yung mga panuntunan kapagka may caravan at saka merong motorcade diyan sa inyong area, at ano ang dapat babantayan natin at hindi papayagan,” Año said in a radio interview when sought for his comment on various campaign activities being conducted by aspirants, particularly those running for national positions in Metro Manila.
Aside from causing traffic congestion, some caravans and motorcades have been observed to be participated in by people who do not adhere to health protocols such as physical distancing.
Based on the calendar of activities released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the start of the campaign period is on Feb. 8, 2022 for national candidates and March 25 for local candidates.
Año said it was agreed upon that motorcades and caravans would now be governed by certain guidelines with only designated lanes allowed to be occupied as the first and foremost rule.
He added that the assembly area should be identified and the exact take-off time be observed, with no programs nor unnecessary stoppage during the activity.
“Tuluy-tuloy dapat (travel) ‘yan, free-flowing ‘yan at hindi kayo mag-occupy ng ibang lane na hindi naibigay sa inyo, at kung anong oras ang tinakda, doon lang kayo. Hindi pupuwedeng magtatagal at ‘yung lahat ng dadaanan ninyo na ruta, dapat alam ng LGU. And at anytime kung meron tayong nakitang paglabag, pupuwedeng i-stop yan,’’ Año said.
In case of a breach in protocols, he said the law enforcers would run after the organizers and “then, if no action from the LGU, puwede rin natin habulin ‘yung LGU diyan and of course siyempre dapat may accountability din ‘yung mga personality na kumakandidato” because they are the principals in the political activity.
Año maintained that their role is only to implement the existing laws and regulations based on the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines.
“So doon tayo sa health protocol aspect, pero ang maganda naman nagkaroon na rin tayo ng mga pag-uusap at pagbibigay ng talakayan sa mga political parties na ito. At sila naman ay nangako na susunod sa pinag-uutos ng batas at ng IATF,’’ he said.
He noted that political party representatives promised to impose “self-policing” and “self-restriction” during the coordination meetings, adding that what the Philippine National Police (PNP) and LGUs can do is only to implement the minimum public health standards.
“Sa MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), LGUs, sa PNP…maraming rules doon na nai-set nila na magpo-protect naman sa mga kababayan natin,” he added.
Año said in areas under Alert Level 2, outdoor assembly is allowed at 70% capacity as long as the minimum health standards are observed. (PNA) – jlo
