THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as local government units to shut down non-essential business establishments while the enhanced community quarantine is being enforced.
“Make sure that business establishments that are not allowed to operate under IATF guidelines remain closed. The ECQ is still in full force and effect,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in a press statement.
“There is no partial lifting whatsoever. Our country will heal as one if and only if the government, the private sector, and the people stick to the strict enforcement of ECQ,” he added.
According to Año, the DILG has received reports that some non-essential commercial establishments have resumed operations in some areas.
It was stated under Memorandum Circular No. 2020-062 that LGUs should make sure that business establishments, except those providing or manufacturing basic necessities such as food, medicine, water, banking and remittance centers, power, energy, telecommunication, and the like, remain closed amid the quarantine.
“In all such establishments allowed to operate, the LGUs must monitor to ensure the operation of a skeletal workforce only, as well as strict social distancing measures,” the memorandum stated.
The DILG warned that police could arrest those who will not follow the directive from his office.
“Nasa gitna tayo ng state of public health emergency at kalamidad. Ang mga pasaway ay maaaring arestuhin sa paglabag sa Article 151 ng Revised Penal Code (RPC). The law punishes resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person,” Año said.
He said the penalty for violating Article 151 of the RPC is arresto mayor, or imprisonment of one month and one day to six months, and a fine not exceeding P100,000.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice earlier said any violation during the ECQ may also be punishable under Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
Prohibited acts under the law include “non-cooperation of persons and entities that should report and/or respond to notifiable diseases or health events of public concern.”
Violators of the law could be penalized of not more than six months imprisonment or a fine of not more than P50,000.(GMA News)
