Parents of minor violators may also be held liable

CEBU, Philippines — Parents of minors caught violating health protocols in Cebu City at least two times will be slapped with fines if the proposed amendment to a city ordinance will be approved.

Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of Cebu City Police Office, said that the CCPO and the Emergency Operations Center are pushing for this measure as a way of stemming the rising COVID-19 cases in the city.

“Wala pa na siya ma-finalize pero duna sila’y nasabutan nga iapil na ang ginikanan kung the same offense lang gihapon sila (minors) for the second time,” Parilla said.

It was earlier reported that out of the 794 violators of the health protocols in Cebu City from August 1-5, 133 were minors.

Parilla said parents could be facing administrative fines to hold them accountable for the actions of their minor children. “Iapil na nga ginikanan og pamulta, pero (yet to be finalized) pa na nga ordinansa, multa ra gihapon,” he said.

Lapu-Lapu violators

In Lapu-Lapu City, police have also arrested an increasing number of violators of protocols under the modified enhanced community quarantine.

Since August 1, police have recorded 710 for curfew violation, 494 for improper wearing of facemasks, 1,153 for non-wearing of facemasks, and 141 for not observing the proper social distancing. At least six individuals have been also nabbed for the liquor ban violation.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director Colonel Arnel Banzon assessed that people in the city generally “lack” cooperation with the government’s campaign to stop the COVID-19 contagion. LLCPO began implementing the stricter protocols last August 1, when the city was placed under MECQ. However, Banzon said they have been intensifying security monitoring since July 26 in line with the directives of Major Junard “Ahong” Chan.

“Ang amoa ra gibuhat diri sa Lapu-Lapu is the same with the other cities kay naa man ta’y regular meetings with PRO-7. Ang amoa dira, ga-conduct jud mi og rekorida, unya patrolling, foot patrols sa mga dalan and especially sa mga inner portions of the barangays wherein mao nay daghan nga possibility nga maoy mo-violate sa health protocols,” said Banzon.

Violators in Lapu-Lapu are made to pay a fine of P1,000 or render community service. To avoid congestion at holding areas, Banzon said they immediately enforce community service right after the apprehension.

Mayors’ call 

Amid the rising COVID-19 cases, Cebu mayors are calling on their constituents to stay at home if they have no important matters to attend to outside, as well as to follow the health protocols.

“With the rising number of cases in our municipality, I encourage everyone to conscientiously and faithfully observe the minimum health protocols, such as wearing of face masks and maintaining of physical distancing in public,” said Consolacion Mayor Joannes Alegado in a Facebook post.

Alegado also advised the public to avoid any mass gatherings and non-essential travel.

“I would like to advocate for the voluntary parental supervised household lockdown for now. Take in charge of your own household. Let us protect one another, save one another. Magtinabangay kita,” Alegado added.

Tudela Mayor Greman “Jojo” Solante said that he went to the four coastal barangays of his town and saw people crowding to share “gossips.”

“Magpuyo lang unta mo sa inyong balay kung walay importanting lakaw o tuyo' sa gawas. Dako na kaayo kini og ikatabang nga mapugngan nato ang padayong pagpanakod sa COVID,” he said.

Cordova Mayor Teche Sitoy-Cho also appealed for cooperation from her constituents.

“Manghinaot ako sa kooperasyon sa tanan nga mag-amping og ang paggawas sa atong panimalay para lamang sa kinahanglanon nga tuyo og mag-obserbar sab kita sa mga health protocols sama sa pagsul-ob og facemask, proper hygiene, social distancing,” she said.

Sitoy-Cho also reminded her people not to forget their health regimen and take vitamins/minerals to boost their immune system. She also asked them to help pray.

More vaccines please

Talisay City Mayor Gerard Anthony “Samsam” Gullas is also hoping that the Department of Health will continue to provide them with more vaccines so that their vaccination rollout can proceed.

“While we continue to vaccinate, I would like to ask all of you to help each other prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our city, especially now that this wave seems more contagious than previous waves,” Gullas said, adding “let us support each other. Let us follow our health protocols strictly and importantly, let us get vaccinated together.”

Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza also urged the public to get vaccinated, especially with the 23 cases of Delta variant recently confirmed in the city.

“Oponganons, we can never afford to be complacent about our health. We have to make sure that we boost our immune system during these unprecedented times,” Radaza said.

Radaza also urged the barangay officials to look after their respective constituents.

“We never know where the virus is. Encourage them to go out if it is only necessary. Protect our children and our elders who are most vulnerable to this pandemic,” Radaza said as she also asked every Oponganon to cooperate with the efforts of their barangays in containing the spread of the disease.  — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, JMD (FREEMAN)