MORE than a year after the Covid-19 hit Davao City, the City Government reminded Dabawenyos once again of the mandatory wearing of face masks following an increase in the number of violators apprehended, which rose to more than 11,000.
Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay said they already apprehended a total of 11,067 as of March 27, 2021.
Sumagaysay said a total of 1,140 individuals were apprehended during the week from March 20 to 27, bringing the total apprehended individuals to 11,067 since the City Government imposed the mandatory wearing of face masks in May 2020.
"The security sector will continue intensifying its apprehensions for those who do not follow health protocols," Sumagaysay said.
Ordinance 0307-20 or the Face Mask Ordinance took effect on July 23, 2020, and was amended through Ordinance 0416-20 to strengthen the enforcement of the ordinance at the barangay level.
Section 3 of the ordinance states that all persons shall, at all times, wear face masks in public places during the Community Quarantine and/or until after the State of Public Health Emergency is lifted as part of the precautionary and safety measures adopted by the City Government against Covid-19 to control and prevent the transmission of such infectious disease.
The ordinance also penalizes those who are not wearing their face masks properly and those using the wrong type of face masks.
Under the ordinance, violators will be fined P500 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 fine or one-month imprisonment or both for the third offense.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio had also reiterated her call to strictly follow the health protocols, especially the wearing of face masks, as it is the most basic weapon against Covid-19.
"Kanang mask, basic gyud na siya karong panahona sa Covid-19 kay tungod ang kagaw naa siya diha sa laway, ma-inhale siya, posible matakdan ang isa ka tawo. Kinahanglan nga dili ta makatakod, dili pud ta matakdan so ang buhaton nato is tabunan nato ang atoang baba ug ilong (The wearing of a mask is basic in this time of Covid-19 pandemic because the virus is present in the saliva. So whenever another person will inhale it, he or she will be infected. We should not spread the virus and we should not be infected so we need to cover our mouth and nose)," the mayor said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday, March 29.
Aside from wearing of face mask, the mayor also reminded to follow other basic health protocols such as physical distancing and frequent handwashing with soap and water. (With reports from CIO)