ILOILO – The president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Santa Barbara town is brushing off allegations of a protocol breach when he attended the regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) yesterday.
Ex-officio SB member Larry Deatras clarified: The town’s Rural Health Office (RHU) gave him a “verbal clearance” to attend the session.
It was Deatras’ 11th day under home quarantine after being tagged as a close contact of a barangay official who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Aug. 8.
Deatras, village chief of Barangay Bolong Oeste, said he got the RHU’s clearance on Sunday, Aug. 15.
He was asymptomatic and had been full vaccinated against COVID-19.
The chairman of the committee on Barangay Affairs also explained that he always wanted to go to the regular session to serve his community.
He noted that he had no absences, expect for emergency cases.
Deatras also stressed that, above all, he was “very aware” of the health protocols to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
“Napatyan man ako sang asawa (due to COVID-19) tapos karon may violation ako sa amo dya nga klasi sang protocol?” Deatras said in an interview with Panay News.
There was tension at the municipal session hall yesterday when SB member Tim Padilla questioned Deatras’ attendance given that he was yet to complete his 14-day quarantine.
The supposed end of his home quarantine is this Saturday yet, Aug. 21.
Deatras went home per advice of their floor leader.
“Nag-concede na lang ako kay amo ‘na nakita nila nga basi ma-compromise ang health sang mga imaw ko,” he said.
“Pero sa pagpangusisa ko, RHU man abi nagahambal nga ‘sa ika-11th day mo na kap indi ka na dapat mahadlokan kapin pa vaccinated ka run and double dose’,” the ABC president added.
In the end, Deatras decided to complete his 14-day quarantine./PN
