THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will strictly enforce Executive Order No. 32 or the suspension of the public celebration of the traditional St. John the Baptist (San Juan) excursions, picnics, revelries, and similar activities on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Police Major Sherlock Gabana, spokesperson of BCPO, said Wednesday several policemen will be assigned to monitor beaches and mountain resorts, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops, especially in Barangays Punta Taytay, Pahanocoy, Granada and Alangilan.
“It’s the directive of BCPO Director Colonel Manuel Placido to ensure that that there will be no operation of resorts, beaches, among others, in said barangays,” he said.
He added policemen will inspect various business establishments to ensure that there will be no mass gathering during the feast of St. John the Baptist.
On June 19, Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued Executive Order No. 32, stating that at present, Bacolod City has been experiencing a spike and rebound in Covid-19 infection for the past 14 days of June, with the Department of Health-Western Visayas classifying Bacolod City as “high-risk’ area for Covid-19.
“Thus, reminding us that even more vigilance and caution must continue to be observed and exercised in matters of public safety and health protocols,” he said.
Because of the prevalent rebound of Covid-19 infection and the imminent of its new variants, he added the EOC highly recommended to the city mayor that the traditional “San Juan” celebration on June 24, 2021, culminated by excursions, picnics, revelries, any similar form of festivities in public parks, beaches, shorelines, similar public places will be suspended.
Section 3 of the EO stated that any traditional practice of water splashing and/or any similar acts committed in public or at any place such as public streets, roads, sidewalks, workplace, churches, or locations is prohibited.
Any violation of this provision will cause the prosecution for unjust vexation under the second paragraph of Article 287 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines as amended by Section 73 of Republic Act 10591, the EO further stated.