The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has warned local government units (LGU) to not go beyond the guidelines set by the national government on the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Secretary Eduardo Año, talking to the press on Wednesday afternoon, reiterated that markets should be allowed to operate for 12 hours to avoid the influx of buyers resulting in the inobservance of the required social distancing.
“Tanggalin ang window time ng palengke dahil ito ang nagiging dahilan ng pagkukumpol-kumpol ng mga tao. Hayaan din pumasok sa palengke ang mga mamimili with or without quarantine pass,” Año said.
This, after complaints from several distraught market-goers voicing out market restrictions and border patrol checkpoints denying entry, reached the interior and local government secretary.
Richard Ligad chief of the City Information Office (CIO), said that they are yet to be informed of Año’s warning.
“Hindi pa namin alam ‘yan sa ngayon. Pag-aaralan pa namin,” he said when asked for a statement about a similar situation being enforced in the city.
Residents were asked to report such incidents through text or call at the following numbers: 0927 422 6300, 0915 005 4535 and 0961 772 1668.
