Local officials of Barangay Muzon in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, including the officer who went viral for insisting that rice porridge or lugaw is non-essential, issued a public apology on Friday to the delivery rider who was banned from entering a subdivision despite exemptions.

In a video posted on Barangay Muzon’s Facebook page, Muzon chairman Marciano Gatchalian, together with Phez Raymundo, the viral officer, and other barangay officials, issued their apology to Grab delivery rider, Marvin Ignacio.

“Ako po si Phez Raymundo, kawani ng barangay, nakatalaga bilang VAWC desk officer. Na humihingi ng paumanhin sa nangyaring viral noong nakaraang araw tungkol po doon sa lugaw sa may Harmony Hills,” she said.

“Sa iyo, Marvin, kung na-offend ka doon sa aking nabanggit, ako ay humihingi ng pahumanhin. Kasama na rin doon ang may ari ng establishment at doon sa mga Grab drivers,” she continued.

In the viral video, Raymundo can be heard saying that lugaw is not considered an essential good as she explains to the rider how the curfew hours work following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

“Sa mga netizens, alam kong naapektuhan kayo doon sa aking nabanggit. Hindi ko gusto na ma-offend kayo, yun ay hindi intentional. Dahil late na ng madaling araw ‘yun, napagod din siguro ako, nagkamali ako ng pagpili ng salita na hindi akma doon sa aking pinapaliwanag kay Marvin so pasensya po sa lahat at sa publiko,” Raymundo added.

Gatchalian also apologized to Ignacio, the government officials, and the the owner of Lugaw Pilipinas over the matter.

“Ako po’y naririto upang makapag-bigay ng pahayag, paliwanag, at makahingi na rin ng pahumanhin sa ating publiko, są ating kinauukulan, sa mga nakakataas sa ating pamahalaan, lalong-lalo na sa iyo Marvin, muli akong humihingi ng paumanhin, at sa may-ari na rin ng Lugaw Pilipinas,” Gatchalian said.

He stated that he does not tolerate any shortcomings and mistakes committed by barangay officers.

“Lagi kong ipinapaalala są kanila na maging magalang, tama ang approach at pakikipag-usap, laging may maximum tolerance,” Gatchalian added.

“‘Yan po’y hindi nawawala sa aking briefing upang sa ganun ay hindi mao-offend ang mga taong mapagi-implementahan lalong-lalo na ngayong pandemic at maigting na pag-implement ng curfew,” he continued.

Two more barangay employees also apologized for the alleged “harassment” to Lugaw Pilipinas while issuing a supposed “closure order” to the establishment Thursday night.

“Asahan niyo pong hindi na po ito mauulit. Haharapin po namin kung ano ang ibibigay na kaparusahan sa amin ng aming kapitan,” a barangay official said.

At the end of the video, Gatchalian said the concerned officers will face disciplinary actions as it will serve as a learning experience to correct their mistakes.

On Wednesday, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque reminded police and local officials not to hamper the delivery of food and other essential commodities during the lockdown.

“Lugaw, or any food item for that matter, is considered an essential good,” Roque said in a statement. “Delivery of food items must remain unhampered 24/7. Huwag natin harangin sa checkpoints.”

In the latest guidelines released by the IATF, delivery and courier services and other similar companies are also allowed to operate at a full capacity.

READ: ‘Lugaw is essential’ Palace says food deliveries allowed 24/7