BACOLOD City – A proposed amendment to City Ordinance (CO) No. 926 series of 2020 (Face Mask and Social Distancing Ordinance of Bacolod City) punishes establishments and public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers flouting safety health protocols against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Proponent Executive Assistant Samuel Montoyo, chief of the Task Force Disiplina (TFD), observed businesses and PUVs are becoming lax in enforcing the ordinance instituted June last year to stem the spread of the viral illness.
CO 926 mandates social distancing and the use of facemask and face shields in public places, inside public or private vehicles, and private settings where entry by the general public is allowed.
Bacolod residents are fined P200 for every violation, while non-residents must pay P300.
In his proposed amendment, Montoyo said non-compliant business establishments and drivers will also be penalized.
He also pushed to hold parents or guardians liable for their children’s health protocol violations.
Citing TFD’s monitoring, Montoyo said there are minors loitering the city streets, not wearing facemasks.
“Parents are the ones responsible for their children’s actions,” Montoyo stressed.
Montoyo is set to submit a draft of his proposal to Councilor Archie Baribar next week./PN
