ILOILO City – Violators of health protocols imposed to curb coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread dodging their penalties are being warned.
Since June 1 this year, more than 300 individuals violated health protocols such as wearing of facemasks and face shields and physical distancing and failed to settle these, according to Iloilo City COVID-19 Compliance Team head Nestor Canong.
“Ara sa citation tickets nabutang nga after three days or 72 hours dapat masyar sa City Treasurer’s Office ukon sa amon sa Compliance Team kag i-settle na ang imo multa ukon community service,” said Canong.
Should one fail to settle his/her violations after the designated period, Canong said their names would be forwarded to the City Legal Office (CLO).
“Ipa-explain sa ila sa CLO ngaa waay ka nag-settle… Kon waay pa gid, ginabaliwala mo pa gid, pasakaan ka na sang kaso sang CLO,” Canong stressed.
He added: “Amo ‘na ang waay mahangpan sang iban naton nga kautoran nga abi nila ‘ya okay lang.”
Canong advised the violators to immediately settle their violations so to avoid possible charges.
“May layabilidad kita kag may posibilidad pa nga prisuhon kita angot sa aton violation sa health protocols kon indi naton pagtumanon ining mga penalidad or community service nga ginamando sang aton mga ordinansa,” he furthered.
Aside from the city ordinances, Canong said charges may be related to the National Inter-Agency Task Force issuances and other national laws.
City Regulation Ordinance (RO) No. 2020-085, which amended the penalties of RO No. 2020-061, mandates the wearing of facemasks or face covering in public during pandemic, and increases fine and includes community service of eight hours for three consecutive days.
Non-wearing of face shields or eye protector has corresponding penalties, same with non-wearing of facemask: P1,000 for the first offense; P2,000 for the second offense, and P3,000 for the third and succeeding offense and/or community service of eight hours a day for three days for first offense; eight hours a day for five days for second offense; and eight hours a day for seven days for third and succeeding offense.
Meantime, Regulation Ordinance 2020-066 implementing physical distancing imposes P500 penalty for violators and P5,000 fine for public establishments for not ensuring physical distancing of one meter space between persons in their premises./PN
