Lugaw viral video: Grab rider Marvin Ignacio's video delivering lugaw goes viral, Lugaw Essential or Non-essential on ECQ?

A video of a Grab rider went viral when barangay officials in Barangay Muzon in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan said that the lugaw (porridge) it delivered is not essential during Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

On Facebook, Grab delivery rider Marvin Ignacio went live when a female barangay official blocked his entry into Barangay Muzon around 1:30 a.m.

The woman can be seen holding the IATF rule about areas in enhanced community quarantine and saying that it cannot deliver because lugaw is not part of essential goods.

"Para sa private establishments, essential goods and services. Essential po ba si lugaw? Hindi, kasi mabubuhay ang tao ng walang lugaw. Ang essential, tubig, gatas, groceries,"

said the female barangay official while pointing out her handout where the IATF rules were printed on.

The Grab driver said,

 "Pagkain po yun, Ma'am."

The lady official replied,

"Hindi nga. Eh 'di sana lahat ng pagkain bukas. Eto si pulis, palilinawagan kayo ni pulis. (points to the policeman). Okay? Naiintidihan po? Naiintindihan. Tapos, may nakasulat din tayo dito, Sir, na ang pupuwede lang ay provision of foods and essential. Hindi essential si lugaw. Sana bukas si bakery. Naintindihan?"

Marvin had the presence of mind to secretly videotape the entire incident as protection of his rights.

But he was said to be very scared because apart from the barangay tanods, there were policemen surrounding them.

Marvin just humbled himself because he was worrying about the customer who was very bored waiting for the lugaw.

The barangay tanods and the police agreed for Marvin to bring the porridge to the customer, with the instruction that what happened should not happen again.

Because of this, the #lugaw trended on Twitter Philippines this Wednesday, with netizens saying, all food is essential.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that food deliveries are allowed any time of the day.

Roque said food delivery persons are considered Authorized Person Outside Residence and they should not be arrested.

He also reiterated that delivery and courier services delivering food, medicine and essential goods are allowed during enhanced community quarantine in an area.

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