Residents of a city barangay that was ordered sealed off had to suffer the consequences of the acts of the few.
San Vicente Punong Barangay Luis Dulagan ordered a shortened operating hours of all establishments in the barangay April 25, after Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered it to be placed on lockdown on April 23 because of the non-compliance by some residents of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols.
Dulagan ordered the operations of the satellite market and sari-sari stores to be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. only from Saturday, April 25, until city hall shall have lifted its lockdown order on San Vicente.
On April 24, the barangay chief has ordered a total shutdown in the operations of these establishments, but he reconsidered the decision, which the barangay posted on its Facebook page.
Following the reconsideration of the order on the operations of the satellite market and stores, the barangay reminded residents to always wear mask when outside their homes and observe physical distancing in convergence areas.
Residents were also reminded that only one person per household is allowed to go out and all food ordered from outside the barangay should be picked up at the checkpoint at the satellite market.
On April 23, Magalong ordered San Vicente barangay to be put on lockdown, following reports received by his office about the residents’ failure to comply with the ECQ.
Dulagan said even before San Vicente was warned of a possible lockdown, barangay officials have been reminding residents to abide by the protocols, including the use of face masks, observance of physical distancing, and staying in their homes.
“Despite our repeated advice and warnings, some continued to disregard these. We all need to bear the consequences,” Dulagan said.
He earlier said those who complain of not having food to eat due to the closure of the satellite market and sari-sari stores can proceed to the barangay hall and ask for ration to get by.
“They can come to the barangay hall and we will give them supply, but they should not expect us to give them half sack of rice. We will provide them with just enough provisions,” Dulagan said.
The barangay has been continuously providing relief items to the residents since the ECQ was imposed.
Personnel of the Baguio City Police Office Station 8 were also deployed to supervise the entry and exit points of the barangay.
There are five major entry points to San Vicente, three of them are along the road and two are major pathways connecting the barangay to other areas.
The major entry and exit point is at the satellite market along Kennon Road.
San Vicente is the third barangay in Baguio to be ordered sealed off after Pinget and Fairview due to the residents’ non-compliance with the ECQ protocols. The lockdown on Pinget has since been lifted while that of Fairview remains as of press time.
Residents of areas that were put on lockdown, regardless of the reason, are not allowed to go out of their barangays, even if their reason for doing so is to buy food and other basic needs at the central business district.
Only persons authorized to go out of their residences are allowed entry and exit in barangays that were ordered on lockdown. – Jane B. Cadalig
