June 11, 2021
By Jennifer P. Rendon
Residents and netizens alike scored the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Iloilo City after it held an activity that gathered a considerable number of attendees.
The comments against BFP-Iloilo City particularly referred to Section 4 of Executive Order No. 50-A, Series of 2021 (An Order Imposing Restrictions on Non-Essential Travel of Persons Within and Into Iloilo City and Other Health Intervention Measures to Curb the Sharp Rise of Covid-19 Cases) which Mayor Jerry Treñas issued.
“Mass gatherings of any kind shall be prohibited until 11:59 p.m. of June 15, 2021,” the EO mandated.
Treñas issued the order on June 3, 2021, as the city reverted to the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status.
The BFP gathering was the blessing and inauguration ceremony of its substation in Alta Tierra Village in Jaro, Iloilo City morning of June 10, 2021.
The event also coincided with the activation of BFP-Iloilo City’s Emergency Medical Services and Fire Motorcycle Unit.
On top of that, witnesses attested that they have seen a catering service to mark the event.
Aside from BFP officials, Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda was also present.
The event apparently did not sit well among Ilonggos as Treñas had earlier advocated against family members dining together.
On June 8, local officials ordered parents and guardians of eight cousins – six minors and two adults – to render community service.
The incident stemmed from a video that was uploaded to Facebook showing the cousins swimming in their garage. All of them are living under one roof.
OWNING UP
As the public demanded for an explanation, Senior Superintendent Jerry Candido, BFP-6 regional director, immediately issued an apology over what happened.
Candido owned up to the blunder and admitted the oversight.
“There is no amount of explanation to justify what happened,” he said.
He admitted that he was invited to the event and so was Baronda.
“It has not come into my attention that there was a complete prohibition of mass gatherings,” he said.
During the event, there were only around 10 invited guests while the other persons seen in the area were on-duty BFP personnel.
But Candido said they did not eat at the venue as the catering service packed the prepared food and gave these to the guests.
Guests also left immediately after the blessing and inauguration ceremony.
Candido said he got mixed up citing that he attended a similar event in Lambunao, Iloilo on June 4.
He said the municipal government allowed them to hold the event at 30 percent capacity of the venue.
Even Lambunao Mayor Reynor Gonzales was also present.
But unlike Iloilo City that is under MECQ, Iloilo province was on the more lenient modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) although an executive order was still issued disallowing mass gatherings
“We were allowed less than 20 guests,” he said.
Still, Candido said there was no excuse for what happened in Iloilo City.
“I don’t have to argue. That’s why, we’re asking for an apology to Mayor Treñas and to the public over what happened. It was a lapse on my part not being able to get wind of the Executive Order,” he said.
Candido said he will not wash hands of the incident.
“I have to face the consequences and accept responsibilities,” he said.
Candido said they are willing to submit to an inquiry.
In response, Treñas said he requested Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, Iloilo City Health Office coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) focal person, and Jeck Conlu, Iloilo City Covid team spokesperson, “to call the attention of RD Gerry Candido on the conduct of a ribbon-cutting. In compliance, they had their food packed and dispersed after the event.”
“RD Candido apologized as he did not read our prohibition on any mass gatherings. Rest assured, no similar gathering from any government office will happen again during MECQ,” said Treñas, who is presently in hospital confinement due to fatigue.
In a statement, Rep. Baronda confirmed attending the BFP event.
“BFP called early in the morning reminding me of their invitation and asked if I could join them as Mayor Jerry Treñas cannot grace their special event to inaugurate the new fire station, their ambulance and motorcycles,” Baronda said.
The lawmaker said she assumed that the event was authorized “as essential gatherings for provision of government services are allowed.”
“Events like this may boost the morale of our public servants, like our firefighters, who have been tirelessly working for the people. We made it clear to them that health protocols should be strictly observed during the event. My advance party sent me pictures showing the physical arrangement with a few chairs, so I went. We had the ribbon-cutting then I delivered a very brief message and left. It was a short program in an open space.”
Baronda apologized for what happened.
“Although we strictly observed health protocols, we should not have pushed through with it. I apologize for this lapse in judgment.”