Ifugao Capital Town Mayor Pissed Off With Pesky Criticisms Over Protocols

October 17, 2020 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (October 17,2020) – Obviously pissed off from pesky comments and criticisms over health protocols in place in his town, Lagawe mayor Martin Habawel sounds he has gotten tired of everyday whimper.

In an advisory, Lagawe Mayor Martin Habawel rants that despite placing precautionary measures in the capital town to thwart the spread of COVID19, they get criticisms for “strangling” and hindering people from making profit.

Even some higher officials insisted to let their “VIPs” through, Habawel bared.

They never ceased to remind people to practice Covid-19 health standards, he said, “but the people are not taking advisories seriously”. “We do temporary lockdowns to contain Covid-19 transmissions but numerous government officials and militants berate us for needlessly curtailing freedom,” the mayor ranted.

Habawel said that because of what they had been experiencing, the municipal government is conceding to some of the “whims and caprices” of the people. This is on the condition, however, he said, that those who will refuse to follow minimum health protocols will be sanctioned with more teeth.

Lagawe now allows cargoes and deliveries from outside the municipality, regardless of place of origin, even without medical clearance. Market days shall be open to all vendors including those from outside Ifugao while the municipal government will not order lockdowns even if there is a Covid-19 local transmission. Although the municipal health office will still regulate travel to and from high risk areas, but it is the responsibility of the people to arrest or report those who have passed through undetected at the Ibulao checkpoint. Names of persons who travel outside Ifugao will be posted on Facebook for the information of the public, the newly crafted town policy said, while violators of the facemask/faceshield ordinance will be penalized on sight.

“These policies will stay in force unless the people themselves demand to bring back our previous regulations and take the lead in the implementation, ” Habawel said. The mayor said the law enforcers of Lagawe are directed to be more assertive in enforcing Covid-19 health regulations and all ordinances of the town.

“Freedom without responsibility is selfishness. Let us see if the people, by demanding freedom, can be truly responsible, ” Habawel said.

Artemio A. Dumlao