THE Bacolod City Council approved on first reading the proposed ordinance prohibiting the escape of individuals from any area in Bacolod City that have been placed on lockdown to avoid further coronavirus disease (Covid-19) contamination.
The ordinance was authored by Councilor Renecito Novero, chairperson of the City Council committee on education.
Novero said the ordinance shall apply to all residents of areas or buildings in Bacolod City that are on lockdown and shall cease from being enforceable only when the state of emergency caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has been lifted in the city.
He said persons residing either permanently or temporarily in any area or building in Bacolod declared as lockdown by the City Health Officer of Bacolod or by any of his/her authorized representative is prohibited from escaping from said premises throughout the duration of the lockdown.
Any person found guilty of violating the ordinance shall, after conviction by a competent court, suffer a penalty of P2,000 and/or imprisonment not beyond six months at the discretion of the court.
Any person convicted under this ordinance may exempt themselves from the penalty of fine and/or imprisonment by opting to render community service in the barangay where they reside for a period of three months at four hours per day, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Any convicted person who has earlier opted to render community service but without justifiable cause, has failed to undertake and complete the same, shall be liable to pay the fine and/or serve the full term of imprisonment adjudged of him/her, the proposed ordinance stated.