‘Sa Bahay muna para sa Bayan’—DILG 10 calls for Punong Brgys to encourage people to stay at home

With the increasing number of Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) and Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) of COVID-19 in the Region, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Region 10 calls for the Punong Barangays to help in encouraging their constituents to stay at home.

 “When we protect ourselves by staying at home, we are also protecting our family, our barangay, and even our country as a whole,” said DILG 10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe.

 “That is why we need the support of our Punong Barangays, through the active assistance of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), to help in reminding their constituents the importance of staying at home,” he added.

 With this, DILG 10 encourages the barangays to conduct recorrida and/or post announcements in conspicuous places to tell their constituents to stay home and only go out when it is really necessary.

 As per Department of Health (DOH), those who need to be extra cautious are those who are of old age, pregnant women, and those with preexisting medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, and even those with weak immune system.

 Considering this, there is a need for the BHERTs to intensify their information education campaign against COVID-19 and see to it that social distancing, or the practice of reducing close contact between people to slow the spread of diseases, is being practiced in their community. Thus, this includes the prohibition of any group gatherings.

 RD Agabe reiterated the need for local government units and Punong Barangays to ensure strict compliance on the prohibition of mass gatherings such us public assemblies, common religious congregations and other similar activities that prevent social distancing.

 He added that the government asks for the full support not only from barangay officials but also from the public as well to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19. (DILG 10/LGOO II Rezza Mae B. Tolinero)