ILOILO – The provincial government has adopted shorter curfew hours to allow residents to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Last week, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed on third and final reading a measure amending the provisions of Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-220.
Under Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-11-18, a modified curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. was imposed.
The previous curfew was seven hours, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. It was instituted at the height of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in March.
Provincial Board member June Mondejar, author of the ordinance, said the shortened curfew would facilitate the participation of residents in traditional activities during the holidays like predawn masses beginning Dec. 16.
There are, however, exemptions so as not to paralyze the province and essential industries/sectors. These were the following:
* government officials and employees in the performances of their official duties and functions and those returning home from such performance of duties and functions
* medical professionals, healthcare providers and those providing medical support services, in the performance of their tasks related to their profession or responding to an emergency and those returning home from such performance of duties
* those in the legal profession and their paralegals travelling to render legal assistance to clients undergoing custodial investigation
* those under medical emergency when travelling to a hospital or a clinic for treatment and those responding to emergency calls
* persons delivering food, medicines, essential basic necessities and prime commodities including raw materials necessary to the production thereof, provided only the driver and not more than two helpers are in the delivery vehicle
* those employed in the private sector, reporting for work and coming home from their place of work, provided sufficient proof is presented that their work schedule necessities that they travel later than 9 p.m. or earlier than 4 a.m., as the case may be
* persons transiting for travel to the airport or seaport facilities
* persons providing basic services and public utilities except public transport
The province is under general community quarantine to avert the spread of COVID-19.
Violators of the curfew face the following penalties:
* first offense – a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of 10 days at the discretion of the court
* second offense – a fine of P2,000 or imprisonment of 20 days at the discretion of the court
* third offense – a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than one month at the discretion of the court
Parents of violators who are minors face the following sanctions:
* first offense – warning
* second offense – a fine of P2,000
* third offense – a fine of P5,000
The implementing agencies or offices are the local chief executives of local government units, local social welfare and development office, the Philippine National Police, barangay officials and tanods./PN
