Barangay officials surprised by rush of people at Tondo food strip

Despite constantly enforcing COVID-19 protocols, barangay officials were surprised by the sudden clustering of people at a food strip in Tondo, Manila.

According to Dano Tingcungco's "24 Oras" report, groups of Manileños trooped to food stalls, ignoring social distancing rules amid the pandemic.

Lorilario Lacson, barangay captain of Barangay 96, Zone 8 in Manila, said they noticed the unusual rush of people past 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 12.

Lacson said they were able to disperse the mass gathering at 8 p.m. Authorities listed the violators' names and warned them that if it happened again, they would face complaints.

One of the vendors, Janet Dy, assured officials that they were vaccinated and following face mask policy.

But Lacson still warned people from gathering at the food strip as it might become a superspreader location, adding that there are were places to purchase food.

"Masarap talaga pagkain dito. Masarap, malasa. Pero baka pag-uwi ng bahay ninyo wala na kayong panlasa," said Lacson.

(The food here is great, very tasty. But we have to warn you that if you keep gathering here, you might lose your sense of taste.)

To prevent crowds at the food strip, Lacson said they deployed more force multipliers and policemen to enforce safety protocols. — Consuelo Marquez/DVM, GMA News