Quarantine protocols imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic should still be observed as it remains in effect despite expiration of Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”, Malacañang reminded on Saturday.
“Although the law has lapsed, it is not accurate to state that the government can no longer enforce curfews or any prohibitions on mass gatherings. As we previously articulated, local ordinances that remain in effect may still be enforced,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said, emphasizing that the government is still enforcing protocols for the public’s safety.
Roque made the remarks as a response to the recent comments of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on the effect of the sunset clause in RA 11469.
The senator noted that quarantine violators can no longer be arrested, once the Bayanihan law expires. The validitity of Bayanihan law ended on June 25.
Roque said while the Bayanihan Act may have lapsed, this will not prevent the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte from addressing the threat of Covid-19.
“The President continues to exercise all and every means at his disposal to protect public safety and the lives of our citizenry in the state of public health emergency and the state of calamity which unquestionably exist to this day,” he said.
