MAYOR Oscar Moreno today signed two city laws that make the use of face masks and social distancing in public vehicles mandatory in Cagayan de Oro.
Ordinance 13849-2020 mandates people entering Cagayan de Oro to wear face masks in situations when there is a public health emergency, epidemic or pandemic, and when there is a declaration of a community quarantine.
The new city law, authored by councilors Ian Mark Nacaya and Edgar Cabanlas and approved by the city council on March 30, imposes a community-service penalty on violators to be administered by the City Public Services Office or the chairperson of the barangay where the violation was committed.
For the first offense, violators would be made to give two hours of community service. For the second offense, the corresponding penalty is four hours of community service. Those who violated the ordinance thrice or more would be subjected to eight hours of community service for each offense.
In case the violators are children, authorities are mandated to admonish them, and subject them and their parents or guardians to lectures.
Another city ordinance, authored by Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr. and also approved by the city council on March 30, mandates people to observe social distancing while riding public vehicles when there is a public health emergency, epidemic or pandemic, and when there is a declaration of a community quarantine.
Those who could be held liable for violating the Lao ordinance are the public vehicle operators, drivers, passengers, and barkers.
Based on Ordinance 13580-2020, a taxi and “transport service network” vehicle may only have a maximum of four people, including the driver.
A “UV Express” vehicle may only have six people, including the driver.
A public jeepney may not have more than half of its seating capacity, including the driver, based on the Lao ordinance. The “modern jeepneys” or the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines-compliant vehicles may also not have more than half of their seating capacities — passengers have to be one seat apart, and standing is disallowed.
Violators would also be subjected to community service ranging from two hours to eight hours for each offense. (Herbie Gomez)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
