The State of the Barangay Address at a covered court in Malabanias, where 150 participants, mostly barangay officials, were not wearing facemasks, face shields, and not observing social distancing.
ANGELES CITY – Councilor Dr. Joseph “Alfie” Bonifacio assailed Barangay Malabanias officials for blatantly violating the Covid-19 safety health protocols of the city.
Bonifacio, the chairman of the committee on health, mentioned reports of alleged profiteering of certain officials for illegal swabbing referrals of suspected Covid-19 patients to a private clinic not licensed to conduct swab tests.
“This is a clear mockery of the rules and regulations set by the city, as well as the national government. Ignorance of the law excuses no one,” Bonifacio, also the chairman of the blue ribbon committee, reiterated.
This, after photos circulated on social media showing a barangay assembly conducted for the State of the Barangay Address (SOBA), where 150 individuals, mostly barangay officials, were gathered in a covered court in the mentioned village.
Most of them were caught on cam not wearing facemasks and face shields, and even not observing social distancing. They even conducted a ‘Question and Answer’ portion, without wearing facemasks or face shields.
“Paano natin mapapasunod ang mga kapwa natin Angelenos, kung mga opisyales natin mismo ang nangunguna sa paglabag sa mga regulasyon ng pamahalaan,” Bonifacio, also chairman of the committee on trade and commerce, said.
The city will not be lenient in investigating the said allegations against these barangay officials, according to Bonifacio.
As a doctor and a city government official, Bonifacio shared he was offended by this display of ignorance, disrespect, and selfishness by public servants who are supposed to lead by example. As such, the efforts of frontliners and health workers are being wasted.
“Pagod na pagod na ang ating mga frontliners at health workers. Halos hindi na sila matulog, makapagsilbi lang sa bayan. Are those sleepless nights and endless sacrifices just for nothing? Hindi na nga sila makauwi sa mga pamilya nila,” Bonifacio lamented.
City Ordinance No. 546, Section III (h) states that “all persons are mandated to properly wear facemasks in public,” while (i) explains the “strict prohibition of social/mass gatherings, including parties, especially in public establishments.
The photos also showed that the meals were served buffet style, which is also a direct violation under the city protocols, in accordance to the protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
According to business permit and licensing division chief Evangeline Malonzo, the city is regulating catering services since social gatherings, particularly parties, are still strictly prohibited under Resolution No. 6, which regulates the conduct of social gatherings and/or public events during the holiday season.
The circulated photos also showed several senior citizens in attendance, which is also an infraction of the city’s MGCQ guidelines which states that “any person below 21, and those who are 60 and above, shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services and for work in industries and offices or such other activities permitted.”
Aside from these alleged violations, reports of officials profiteering from illegal swab referrals surfaced, prompting Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. to request a full-blown investigation by the city council, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Health.
*Photos were grabbed via Facebook account of William David
