NCR mayors must do more, Duterte dares
The only thing that’s going our way in our favor is that we are a unitary type of government
National Capital Region (NCR) mayors have to do more in ensuring that people within their jurisdiction will follow the quarantine guidelines set by the national government to decrease the number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases, President Duterte night said.
President Duterte said he hates arresting people but the law must be imposed so that infections will at least slow down.
“The mayors have to do more. They have to do more,” Duterte said during his nationwide address aired Tuesday morning.
The President again emphasized the importance of wearing masks and practicing social distancing and proper hygiene to protect from the virus that has so far infected nearly 70,000 people in the country.
We are different from the United States. They have more freedom there.
“You want COVID slow down or stop? Wear a mask or do not go out of your house if you do not want to wear one. There is no other way that we can prevent COVID from transferring from one person to the other, unless we obey,” Duterte said.
“The only thing that’s going our way in our favor is that we are a unitary type of government. We are different from the United States. They have more freedom there,” he added.
The Chief Executive said there is a need for the police to be more strict in the enforcement of the health protocols to teach violators lessons.
“So we will have to ask our police to be more strict. Arrest them. A little shame would put them on notice forever. Who wants you to be arrested? But if you are brought to the police station and detained there, that would give you a lesson for all time,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año met with governors and mayors in areas are under general community quarantine and with agreements to conduct localized lockdowns.
“They will make a proposal in order to properly handle locally stranded individuals who will return to their home provinces and for the implementation of health standards,” said Año. “We want to have a unified implementation among LGU.”