BACOLOD City – The city police office is set to implement two city ordinances for the enhancement of preventive measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
These are the “non-social ordinance” and “face mask and social distancing ordinance.”
The first order states that all residents of the city from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. every day during the period of emergency are prohibited in public places.
Anyone who will be found violating the ordinance shall be penalized P500 or serve an eight-hour community service in the barangay where the person resides within the next 24 hours from his apprehension. If the violator is not a resident of this city, then he/she shall be fined P1,000, the ordinance cited.
The second ordinance, meanwhile, requires the wearing of face masks and application of physical distance mandatory in all public areas during this COVID-19 pandemic.
An individual who will be caught violating the order shall be penalized P200 or serve an eight-hour community service. If the violator is not a resident of this city, then he/she shall be fined P300.
Bacolod City Police Office spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico said they can start implementing the ordinances once they receive the copies and the citation tickets.
According to Pico, there were almost 5,000 individuals caught violating the health protocols against the spread of the viral illness.
For now, persons who will be apprehended for violating the non-social, wearing of face masks and physical distancing rules will face charges for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, or resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person, he said.
Pico advised the public to follow the health protocols to avoid the charges./PN
