BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A party on a Friday night in Art District – a popular rest and recreation complex in Barangay Mandalagan – that’s nothing new. But during this coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s enough to have authorities very concerned.
Yesterday, the city government’s Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF) launched an investigation into a viral video showing a crowd of revelers partying shoulder-to-shoulder and with no facemasks.
In the seven-second footage sent to the EOC-TF, several people were also seen consuming alcohol in the event dubbed #vivaexcon2020.
It is yet to be known if the event was private or it was open to the public. The video clip also captured the establishment’s logo that allegedly hosted the gathering.
Police Captain Richard Fajarito, Police Station 3 chief, said they immediately broke the party up after receiving numerous calls from concerned citizens, and warned establishments to stop serving alcoholic beverages.
Fajarito added that when they arrived, most of the party goers were minors.
For her part, city administrator and EOC–TF executive director Em Ang said organizers must be held liable for violating the city’s ordinances.
Under the government’s quarantine policy, any form of mass gathering is prohibited in areas under General Community Quarantine.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Bacolod submitted a report about the “mass gathering” to DILG- Western Visayas while the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office visited the establishments in Art District.
Fajarito also reminded restaurants and bars in his area that they are only allowed to serve alcoholic beverages from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. only and mass gatherings are strictly prohibited./PN
