DILG exec to unvaxxed barangay captains: Resign or take a leave

An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Sunday urged barangay captains who are possibly still unvaccinated against COVID-19 to resign or take a leave from their posts.

DILG Undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño issued the warning amid the department's implementation of an order to identify unvaccinated residents within their respective jurisdictions.

"Kung talagang hindi pa bakunado, puwede naman kayo mag-resign o kaya magleave kayo hangga't di tapos ang COVID-19. Nakakahiya kayo. Biro ninyo, kayo magpapatupad ng batas tapos kayo pala 'di bakunado?" Diño said over Super Radyo dzBB.

(Unvaccinated barangay captains -- if there are -- can resign or take a leave  until the pandemic is over. You are a disgrace. You are the ones implementing the law and yet you are still unvaccinated.)

Although he was not certain if there are unvaccinated local officials, Diño said barangay officials who refuse to get vaccinated may get arrested.

"Kahit kapitan ka, barangay ka, aarestuhin ka. Papaaresto ka 'pagka halimbawa may ordinansa. Walang exemptions dito, walang exempted," Diño added.

(Even if you are a barangay captain, you will get arrested. We will have you arrested if there is an ordinance. There are no exemptions here.)

Diño also reiterated his previous request to ask local officials in getting inoculated against COVID-19, which he said will set an example to their constituents.

"Kaya nga if ever may hindi bakunado  kung mayroong pang di pa bakunado ngayon. Kasi noon sabi ko magpabakuna kayo chairman tapos magpagawa kayo ng tarpaulin ipakita niyo roon habang binabakunahan kayo para kayo mag-set ng example sa barangay ninyo," he said.

(If there are still unvaccinated local officials, get vaccinated and make a tarpaulin banner showing your vaccination, to set an example to your residents.)

Earlier, the DILG released a directive ordering local officials to submit a list of unvaccinated in their area of jurisdiction, which is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's order to limit the movement of unvaccinated residents. 

According to the National Task Force against COVID-19 figures, 54,457,863 individuals are already fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which is 70% of the nation’s eligible population.

On Saturday, the Philippines recorded a total of 3,168,379 COVID-19 cases, with 2,834,708 recoveries and 52,858 deaths. —LBG, GMA News