MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday announced that the 75-day clearing operations of local government units (LGU) are suspended until further notice.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said suspending the road clearing operations would ensure that “local chief executives will be able to focus all their efforts in fighting novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).”

Año said this is in compliance with the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The second round of road clearing operations of all local government units began on February 17, 2020.

The DILG also announced that the foreign travel of local chief executives will be temporarily suspended in the next 30 days to make sure that they are hands-on in fighting the spread of the virus in their respective jurisdictions.

The entire Luzon has been placed under enhanced community quarantine by the president on Monday afternoon, according to Malacañang.

Under the guidelines earlier released by the Palace, an enhanced community quarantine means that strict home quarantine will be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for food and essential health services shall be regulated and the heightened presence of uniformed personnel enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said more details will be released later after Duterte’s meeting with the government’s inter-agency task force.

Under the current guidelines on community quarantine, all provincial governors and mayors of highly urbanized cities, as well as Senators and Congressmen, are free to travel to and out of Metro Manila in the performance of their official functions. Mayors of component cities and municipalities may be allowed to enter Metro Manila subject to the approval of this Department on a case-to-case basis.

The DILG also said that a total of 40,000 police officers are now deployed to man checkpoints in Metro Manila.

“We assure the public of the sufficiency of uniformed police and military officers who will man checkpoints around Metro Manila. They shall follow all lawful protocols in manning checkpoints and are advised to be courteous but firm in performing their duties,” it said.

“Panahon po ito ng pagsubok sa ating tapang at malasakit sa bawat isa at lalo na ang disiplina nating mga Pilipino. Bagaman may abalang naidudulot ang ating preventive measures laban sa COVID-19, unawain po natin na para ito sa kabutihan ng nakakarami. This too shall pass so let us remain calm and resilient,” it added.

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday ordered all local government units (LGU) to establish impounding areas for towed illegally parked vehicles.

Through Memorandum Circular 2020-031, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said all cities and municipalities are mandated to designate impounding areas where towed illegally parked vehicles, as well as those involved in road accidents or breakdowns, will be brought.

Tricycles apprehended by LGUs for operating in national highways should also be brought to these impounding areas.

Año said the directive is part of government efforts to clear road obstructions.

“Ang mga illegally parked vehicles ay kailangang i-tow at dalhin sa impounding area. It is, therefore, incumbent upon cities and municipalities to designate impounding areas for the safekeeping of towed vehicles,” he said in a statement.

“Ang pagtatalaga ng impounding area ay mandato sa ating mga syudad at bayan. Kailangan nating umaksyon para sa mas maluwag na daan, mas mabilis na daloy ng trapiko, at para sa kapakanan ng publiko,” he added. The DILG chief also called on local councils to pass ordinances specifying guidelines on towing, impounding and releasing of impounded vehicles and prescribing corresponding penalties.

He said that such ordinances should be consistent with national laws and policies, and shall not be unreasonable or discriminatory.

Año said the latest directive supplements Memorandum Circular 2019-121 issued last July, mandating local governments to reclaim roads and revoke parking permits of private vehicles on public roads.

Furthermore, Section 16 of the Local Government Code provides police powers to local governments to regulate the use of roads, direct traffic, and remove obstructions.

“Kahanay po nito ang isa pa naming direktiba, ang MC 2020-004, na sumasakop sa operasyon ng mga tricycle kasama ang pagbibigay ng prangkisa. Ang mga tricycle ang madalas na sakit ng ulo ng mga traffic enforcer lalo na kung walang terminal at kung saan-saan na lang nag-aabang ng pasahero,” he said.

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is demanding an explanation from the local government of Manila why it failed the government’s illegal drugs campaign.

Based on the 2018 Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Audit, the city of Manila received 48% failure functionality rating among the cities across Metro Manila.

According to DILG Undersecretary Rico Judge Echiverri, drug functionality of the anti-drug abuse council in the city has been low from 2016 to 2018.

Echiverri clarified, however, that it is not incumbent Mayor Isko Domagoso who should solely shoulder the blame but the LGU itself and the former officials, particularly, former Mayor Joseph Estrada.

“But again, we have to give the show cause order. Remember we are filing cases not on the person but on the institution, which is the City of Manila,” Echiverri explained.

“So kahit hindi si Mayor Isko ang (So even if it’s not Mayor Isko who is) accountable, he has to answer still to the poor performance of Manila City,” he added.

Meanwhile, the DILG is pushing for a bill that would penalize local officials who do not act on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Under the ADAC bill, a local official may be put in jail and may be stripped of his chance for public service.

“Fine or suspension wala iyan. Hindi nila iniinda, pero ilagay mo as one of the provisions perpetual to run, tingnan mo kung di matakot ang mga yan, (Fine or suspension is something they will just ignore. But put it as one of the perpetual provisions to run, let’s see if they would dare),” Echiverri noted.

The bill is expected to progress at the Lower House through presidential son Congressman Paulo Duterte while Senator Ronald Dela Rosa is expected to propel on the approval of the bill at the Upper House. – MNP (with details from Dante Amento)