MEMBERS of the Benguet Provincial Board approved an ordinance requiring mandatory wearing of face masks.
Under Provincial Ordinance No.2020-265, penalties will be meted to any person failing to comply with the health precaution protocol with measures effective until the enhanced community quarantine is lifted.
In the approved ordinance, lawmakers said wearing face masks during the public health crisis is a good health intervention not only to protect the person wearing but also to protect other people.
“Mandatory wearing of face masks whenever the people of Benguet are in public places is an additional measure that can be required of them aside from social or physical distancing, staying at home, work at home and use of quarantine pass during this period of the enhanced community quarantine and extension thereof,” the ordinance reads.
For first offense, violators must render community service or awareness campaigns on Covid-19 for at least three hours.
Under the approved ordinance, offenders for the second and subsequent offenses must be monitored and strictly prohibited from leaving his or her residence during the remaining period of the enhanced community quarantine and a fine of P500 to be paid at the Treasurer’s Office of the locality where the offense was conducted.
Tasked to help in the information education campaign are the Benguet Provincial Health office with the Provincial Governor’s Office, Philippine Information Agency-Benguet and in the region, and non-government organizations.
The Benguet Provincial Police Office with barangay officials and force multipliers are mandated to enforce the full extent of the ordinance.