Quezon City eyes raps vs ex-kagawad for quarantine breach

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government will file charges against a former barangay councilor or kagawad for allegedly violating quarantine protocols and exposing other members of their community to COVID-19.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the former barangay official, whom she did not identify, violated the directive to undergo quarantine and continued to meet with neighbors while waiting for the results of his swab test.

He and other members of their family had their swabs taken after his son tested positive for the illness, supposedly after a drinking session with another positive individual.

The former official later tested positive. City epidemiology and surveillance unit head Rolly Cruz said 15 individuals had contact with the former kagawad while he was waiting for his test results.

Their area was placed under total lockdown to monitor the condition of the 26 families living in the neighborhood, including the 15 individuals who underwent swab testing.

Charges of violating a local ordinance on quarantine protocols will be filed against the former barangay official and his son.

9 Valenzuela employees suspended

Nine employees of the Valenzuela City government were suspended for two weeks after they were caught violating social distancing while on the way home in a city government vehicle.

Mayor Rex Gatchalian yesterday said the employees were caught in a viral photo crammed in the vehicle that bore the city government’s seal and the name of the city treasurer’s office in Barangay Karuhatan last Wednesday.

The employees admitted to their lapse in violating physical distancing in their rush to go home from work that rainy day, the mayor said.

They will undergo community service as punishment by assisting the city’s contact tracing team for 14 days.