By Fernan Angeles
MALACAÑANG gave tiangge owners two options — to implement the minimum public health standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or face closure.
In a news conference, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque issued the warning after shoppers recently packed the streets of Divisoria in Manila and Baclaran in Parañaque to beat the Christmas rush, in what he aptly describe as wanton disregard of the prevailing public health safety protocols.
“Pupuwede namang pong limitahan iyong mga pumapasok sa mga tiangge, kinakailangan lang magkaroon ng special entry at exit point,” Roque said at a news conference.
“Kapag hindi po kayo nag-control ng crowd, baka mapasara kayo, lalo kayong mawalan ng negosyo.”
Roque also appealed to the public to follow the health protocols.
“Alam nating kinakailangang mamili para sa Pasko pero ingatan naman natin ang ating mga sarili hindi lang para sa hanapbuhay kung hindi para tayo ay magkaroon ng maligayang Pasko dahil kapag kayo ay nagkasakit, nasaan ang Merry Christmas?” he said.
The Philippines has so far reported 421,722 COVID-19 cases, with 8,185 deaths.