THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Sunday, March 7, 2021, urged local government units (LGUs) to enhance local ordinances to ensure that health protocols will still be observed amid the easing of quarantine measures.

Undersecretary Bernardo Florece, DILG officer-in-charge, said both the public and law enforcers are already exhausted and tend to loosen their guard against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Totoo 'yun kasi sa March 16, one year na tayo exactly. Kasi March 16 tayo last year nag-declare ng lockdown sa Luzon. Kumbaga exhausted na rin ang mga tao pati na rin 'yung ating mga law enforcers,” he said in a radio interview.

“Dahil nga diyan, nagpalabas kami ng another memo sa ating mga LGUs [local government units] na kailangan meron silang ordinansa. And then kung may existing sila na ordinances dapat i-enhance nila,” he added.

He said in order to help the law enforcers, LGUs should standardize penalties imposed on quarantine violators.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) earlier relaxed travel restrictions across the country by removing the swab test and travel authority requirements.

Some LGUs, however, have decided to retain the swab test requirement.

Generally, travelers are no longer required to undergo quarantine for 14 days unless they exhibit Covid-19 symptoms.

Independent research group Octa Research earlier noted the “deteriorating compliance” to health protocols, such as wearing of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing. (SunStar Philippines)