The use and issuance of quarantine passes for one member of the family is being suggested again amid the significant increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it will leave it to the IATF if the quarantine passes would be required again. The DILG explained that more people go out to look for jobs, their part to help revive the economy.
“Kung ang issue ay bakit napakaraming tao sa kalsada, it’s precisely because nagbukas tayo ng ekonomiya dahil kailangan na nga nating palakasin ang ating ekonomiya dahil maraming taong mahihirapan kung ito ay babagsak (If the issue is the large number of people in streets, it’s precisely because of the fact that we opened the economy, because many will suffer if it collapses),” DILG USec. Jonathan Malaya pointed out.
Malaya reiterated that the public should strictly comply with the standard health protocols to prevent COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the department will ask for an update from LGUs next week regarding the ordinances they are considering and crafting, as the LGUs pursue a uniform implementation of health protocols.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Aῆo previously suggested those caught not wearing masks or not observing physical distancing should be imprisoned or fined.
Malaya clarified that jail is not the first option. “Pwede nilang gawing first offense, community service. Second offense community service with fine, Php 1,000 to Php 2,500 or Php 2,500 to Php 5,000 kapag lungsod (They can impose rendering community service for the first offense, and for second offense, community service with a fine of Php 1,000 to Php 2,500 or Php 2,500 to Php 5,000 for cities).”
“Tapos kapag third offense, iyon na iyong kulong. (For third offense, it could be imprisonment). Fines na (of) Php 2,500 to Php 5,000 and/or imprisonment at the discretion of the court,” he added.
– Report from Patrick de Jesus
