Labella allows ECQ passes from baragays

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella is now giving the barangays authority to issue quarantine passes following several complaints from residents that they have not received their enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) passes as of yesterday.

The barangay passes, however, are valid only within the territorial jurisdiction of the issuing barangay.

Labella said the city government will print additional ECQ passes after all the 250,000 printed earlier had been exhausted and several households are yet to be given. The City Hall-issued passes were distributed through the barangays.

“Ang kadtong mga quarantine passes they are all spread through the barangays because kanang green pass that’s supposed to be determined, monitored, and issued by the barangay because they are in the best position to know who are these people to be given,” said Labella.

The mayor said that those who have yet to receive ECQ passes from the city government may instead show the barangay passes at the checkpoints.

“Ang ato kay kung maka pakita sila na residents sila sa barangay and then the barangays duna man silay barangay pass, so let’s honor nalang,” said Labella.

Labella asks the public to approach their barangay officials rather than wait for them to come and deliver their quarantine passes.

“I would advise them to really coordinate with the barangay officials and I advised for the barangay to take cognizance na ila gyud paminawon,” said Labella.

The mayor warned those who will be issuing and distributing fake passes that they will be criminally prosecuted. Labella also announced that the barangay financial assistance will be distributed today.

The amount of the financial assistance will depend on the barangay population. The first 10 barangays with the highest population will receive P3 million; the next 10 barangays will receive P2 million; and the remaining barangays will get P1 million. FPL (FREEMAN)