Tanauan residents lament 'unfair' cutting of window hours

Residents of Tanauan, Batangas cried "unfair" over the decision of local officials to cut of window hours for their visit to their property and animals without prior notice.

According to a Wednesday report by Darlene Cay on 24 Oras, the residents were suprised to find out that entry to the danger zone started at 7 a.m. instead of what was previously announced at 8 a.m.

"'Yun po ang hindi maganda. Bakit nagpapasok sila kanina? Bakit ngayon hindi sila makapagpapasok? Hindi sila pare-pareho. Unfair sila," Josie Sales, a resident, said.

"Sa nangyayari po, parang sobra na ang paghihigpit ay baka naman po hindi na yung putok ng bulkan ang ika-utas ng mga tao," Seseng Alcazar, another resident, added.

Rogelio Valencia offered to sign a waiver that the local government would not be liable whatever happens to him just to be allowed to feed his animals.

"Magpapirma kayo ng waiver, kahit sampung pages. Ako ay pipirma basta mapainom ko lang ang aking mga baka. Hindi kayo ang mamatay, kami ang mamatay kapag inabutan kami ng bulkan," he said.

However, Tanauan Mayor Sweet Halili said that the window hour was reduced in preparation for the implementation of total lockdown in danger zones.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also previously ordered  a stop to the implementation of window hours for Batangas residents.

"We have to be shorter with the window time because we are closer to the lockdown time," Halili said.

Halili added that they have already given residents enough days to enter danger zones.

According to the report, the local government of Tanauan is awaiting the official memorandum ordering the termination of window hours.

Once they have received it, the government said they will post it on checkpoints and will implement the total lockdown of barangays within the 14-kilometer danger zone.

"Actually I'm waiting for both. That way, it's easier for us to review if it coincides and complements each other," Halili said.

"Pag nakita ko po 'yun, we'll verify if there is anything that will raise the question na may conflicting na procedures and operations with regards to the two orders," she added.

Once the lockdown is implemented, she said they will have to clarify if even police authorities and barangay officials are prohibited from entering danger zones.

"Once andyan na po 'yung black and white, it's easier for us to actually operate. Ang sa akin, gusto ko linawin sa kanila kung ano ba yung lahat-lahat 'yun. Because it's not easy for us to deprive also the livestock of their chance to live," Halili said. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News