Año to LGUs: Protect constituents under GCQ

Local government units (LGUs) should protect their constituents from the threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 as the country shifts to a more lenient community quarantine.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday said LGUs should lead the campaign against the spread of the virus and take steps to stop its transmission, with a more relaxed movement of people under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Metro Manila, Davao City, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Pangasinan,

Albay and Cebu, including Cebu City, will be under GCQ starting today.

The rest of the country will be placed under modified GCQ.

“Nakasalalay sa inyo na mabawasan ang mga kaso ng COVID-19 sa inyong komunidad,” Año said. “The national government will provide all your needs, but you will have to give more energy and dedication in these times when we make our people survive and emerge resilient from this crisis,” he added.

Año said local chief executives should enforce localized and targeted lockdowns in communities considered as critical zones.

“We cannot let our guards down until the medical community finds a medicine or vaccine to cure this disease. In the meantime, we will follow our national government-enabled, local government unitled, people-centered strategy in dealing with this crisis,” he said.

Año stressed the need to strictly implement health protocols, such as wearing of face masks and physical distancing by deploying more law enforcers in public places.

He said LGUs should also consider innovations in transacting business, such as online applications of permits and payment as well as the use of telemedicine platforms courier services.

He urged the public to cooperate with authorities, adding that they should report LGU officials who fail to implement health measures.