Bulacan barangay officials ordered to explain influx of people into river

The local government of Norzagaray, Bulacan ordered Barangay Matictic officials to explain the influx of people into the Bakas River this weekend.

Many people flocked to the river this Sunday for picnics and swimming, most without wearing face masks. About 75 people were booked by the police because they did not return home immediately.

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“Hinihingan po natin ng explanation ‘yong barangay captain o kung sino man po ang nangangasiwa sa Barangay Matictic na nakakasakop noong ilog, na magpaliwang kung bakit nahantong o nauwi sa ganoon ‘yong scenario doon sa ilog,” said Jhorola Andres, legal officer of the Norzagaray municipal government.

He said barangay officials can be held accountable if they fail to respond to the municipality’s show-cause order.

“Maaari pong may kaharapin na liabilities ang kapitan, administrative, criminal liabilities po, na nakapailalim sa ating batas po,” said Andres.

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The municipal government is waiting for the recommendation of the health office regarding the swab test for people who bathe in the river, Andres said.

Bulacan barangay officials ordered to explain influx of people into river

The picnic grounds of Bakas River in Bulacan were closed to the public following the incident.

Under the general community quarantine “with heightened restrictions” currently in place in Bulacan, outdoor tourist attractions are allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity.

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Recently, a resort in Caloocan was finally closed by the local government due to the reception of visitors even though it was still prohibited under the existing quarantine protocols then.

Four visitors in Gubat at the Ciudad resort were later found to be positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Fifty-one people acquired COVID-19 after attending a  and drinking sessions in Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon in Quezon City.

A total of 610 people attended the said party and were subjected to RT-PCR swab tests after the event and 51 tested positive for the disease.

In a video shared by the Quezon City local government, the attendees were seen wearing  or face shields and were not observing social distancing.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte reiterated that social gatherings are not allowed under the general community quarantine.

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