An executive order was signed today by Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso authorizing the city’s barangay chairmen to declare a lockdown in their areas.
The lockdown, however, will be subject to certain conditions.
Under Executive Order No. 12, Domagoso said that barangay officials could declare a lockdown in their respective areas of authority should the number of COVID-19 active cases are 10 or more.
“Within three (3) hours from its issuance, the Order placing the barangay, or portion thereof, under Critical Zone Containment shall be forwarded to the City Mayor for his confirmation,” the order stated.
“The Punong Barangay shall give a two-day prior notice to his constituents and businesses/other stakeholders operating in the barangay,” the order added.
The Manila Health Department shall likewise verify the existence of COVID-19 active cases before the barangay could start its lockdown.
The mayor said all residents under the barangays to be placed under lockdown shall be strictly confined to their residences and are prohibited from going outside their homes.
To be exempted from the order are health workers, military personnel, service workers (pharmacies, drug stores, and funeral homes), utility workers (energy, cable, internet, telecommunication companies, water, sanitation, and critical transport facilities including port operation), essential workers (goods delivery, food delivery, banking and money services), barangay officials (Chairpersons, Barangay Secretary, Barangay Treasurers, Kagawads, and Executive Officers), and media practitioners accredited by the Presidential Communications Operations Office and the Inter-Agency Task Force
“Station Commanders of Police Stations covering the said barangays are hereby directed to employ and deploy officers and personnel in strategic locations and areas necessary for the effective implementation of the ECQ,” the executive order noted.
So far, 29 barangays, one street, and one cluster have been placed under a 4-day lockdown for this week.
As of Wednesday, March 24, about 3,667 active COVID-19 cases have been recorded by the MHD, with a running total of 31,383 recoveries and 866 deaths.