ILOILO City – Five city government officials paid fines for violating Regulation Ordinance No. 2020-066 which made physical distancing mandatory in the metropolis to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Cong. Julienne Baronda, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and city councilors Rudolf Ganzon, Allan Zaldivar and Mandrie Malabor were issued with citation tickets for a fine of P500 each.
They were part of the viral photo of city officials not observing physical distancing during the Dec. 15 mass gathering at the Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand.
The event was the distribution of financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to indigent beneficiaries in the city. The assistance was coursed through the city’s social welfare office.
Jeck Conlu, the city’s COVID Team spokesperson, and Councilor Ely Estante, meanwhile, told Panay News they were also willing to pay the fine.
“Hulaton ko ang citation ticket because that will be the basis nga may violation ako,” said Estante.
Conlu, on the other hand, said, “Nangayo naman ako sorry. Willing man ko mag-voluntary pay sang fine, waay gid problema.”
These city officials, including Mayor Jerry Treñas, earlier apologized for violating the said health protocol.
“I am issuing this public apology for the gatherings that happened at the Freedom Grandstand,” Treñas said.
Treñas previously told this paper that it was only during the picture taking that the city officials failed to maintain social distancing.
Malabor, when reached yesterday, also said sorry for failing to follow the health protocol. He was the last city councilor in the photo to issue a public apology.
“Whatever nga kapaltahan ang may ara kita, gina-ako ta ina. We are sorry for that. As government officials, dapat kita ang mapamuno sa health and safety protocols,” said Malabor./PN
