THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today urged local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strictly implement and/or enforce the allowable and prohibited election-related activities per alert level in their areas of jurisdiction.
The move was in pursuant to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 10732 to stop the spread of Covid-19 even as the campaign period is set to start on February 8 for national candidates and on March 25 for local candidates.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said LGUs and the PNP must be on top in ensuring that minimum public health standards (MPHS) are enforced depending on the alert level during in-person campaigns, rallies, caucuses, meetings and conventions; motorcades and caravans; and miting de avance.
“Sisiguraduhin po nating tumutupad ang mga LGU sa Comelec Resolution 10732 bilang pagtitiyak na magiging ligtas ang ating mga kababayan sa panahon ng kampanya. We are facing a much transmissible variant kaya naman hindi tayo dapat magpabaya maging ngayong panahon ng halalan,” Año said.
“Una pa din ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan kaya mariing ipinapaalala ng DILG ang pagsunod ng LGUs at PNP sa mga panuntunan ng COMELEC,” he added.
Meanwhile Comelec issued Resolution 10732 dated November 24, 2021 outlining the guidelines for the conduct of 2022 election-related activities amid the new normal and the continuous threat of COVID-19’s Omicron variant.
In an advisory released recently, the DILG chief likewise said LGUs must adopt necessary measures and strategies to comply with the Comelec Resolution; streamline existing LGU policies with the issuance; and, ensure observance of the guidelines’ entirety within their locality.
“The 2022 Election is a very important event for the country but we must take into consideration that we are still currently battling an enemy that thrives in gatherings. We expect LGUs and the PNP to strictly enforce the poll guidelines,” Año said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is also called to maintain order and security and to impose strict observance of MPHS during any election-related campaigns in coordination with the barangay officials, tanods, and the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams.
Tags: #DILG, #LGU's, #ELECTION2022, #COMELEC