Legal raps await local chief executives who are unable to enforce regulations on mass gatherings, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Sunday, May 9, 2021.
In a statement, Sec. Eduardo Año has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2021-050 which reminds all local chief executives that they shall be sanctioned if they are unable to implement the Inter Agency Task Force‘s (IATF) regulation regarding mass gatherings.
Año said that the local chief executives who are unable to implement the said regulation may face administrative or criminal case or both.
The DILG chief said the agency does not want to go to the extreme of filing cases against the erring local chief executives, that is why the Cabinet official is urging the local officials to faithfully implement the IATF regulation.
Under the IATF omnibus guidelines as of April 15, 2021, mass gatherings both inside and outside of residences are prohibited in areas which are under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified ECQ, and general community quarantine (GCQ).
However, mass gatherings are allowed up to 50% of venue capacity for areas under modified GCQ areas.
Bohol is an area under modified GCQ, based on the pronouncement of the IATF.
Religious gatherings in areas under ECQ are prohibited, with celebrations limited to online video recording and transmission. The said religious gatherings may be held at limited capacities in areas under MECQ, GCQ and MGCQ.
Moreover, the DILG said erring local officials may face charges of dereliction of duty based on Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code. Administrative raps may also be imposed on the local officials under the provisions of Local Government Code