The City Council has approved two ordinances operationalizing the adjusted curfew hours and the liquor ban, amid the risk of COVID-19 in the country.
Councilor Maria Belen Acosta, who chairs the council’s committee on peace and public safety, passed these ordinances during the emergency session on Friday.
Recently, Mayor Sara Duterte also issued two executive orders temporarily adjusting the curfew and liquor ban hours in support of the community quarantine observed by the city. Duterte also said that an ordinance should be made to impose penalties for violators.
Acosta passed an ordinance imposing a community quarantine curfew in the city from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. until the community quarantine is lifted.
Under the ordinance, any persons not covered by the exemption who are outside their residences during the curfew hours will face sanctions.
Provided in the ordinance are the exemptions from the curfew:
1. Employees of establishments providing basic necessities, i.e. those employed in:
a. public markets, supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores,
b. hospitals, medical and dental clinics, pharmacies and drug stores,
c. food preparation and delivery services, water-refilling stations, manufacturing and processing plants of basic food products and medicines,
d. banks, couriers, money transfer services,
e. power, energy, water and telecommunications supplies;
f. media personnel;
g. public transportation or the transportation of goods and services;
h. persons transiting to and from work;
Provided those persons enumerated above shall present their necessary identification and certificate of employment;
2. Persons accessing basic necessities and emergency services such as:
a. Those buying food or medicines;
b. Those requiring immediate health services;
c. Those doing other essential activities covered by analogous medical and humanitarian reasons.
3. Authorized government officials and personnel of law enforcement agencies;
4. Persons officially assisting in the fight against COVID-19.
The violator will pay a fine of P3,000 for the first offense and P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than a year for succeeding offenses. “Provided, that if the offender is a minor, the laws and regulations of the Philippines concerning minors shall apply, but the parent or guardian of such minor shall pay the above fine,” it said.
For the violators of the liquor ban, they will face a fine of P3,000 for the first offense and P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than a year for succeeding offenses.
