GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The city government has activated reporting hotlines for abuse and discrimination against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) front-liners and patients.
City Administrator Arnel Zapatos said in an advisory on Friday that the move was in line with Ordinance 31 or the “Anti-Covid-19 Discrimination Ordinance of General Santos City.”
Passed by the City Council on April 14, the measure took effect on Monday.
Zapatos said the ordinance prohibits any form of abuse or discrimination against medical front-liners and other health care workers, as well as individuals who were identified as suspect, probable or confirmed Covid-19 patients.
Residents may report cases of abuse and discrimination against any Covid-19 front-liner or patient using dedicated hotlines, he said, assuring that the reports would immediately be acted on.
City Councilor Jose Edmar Yumang, co-author of the ordinance, said in an interview that the measure aims to protect front-liners and patients from verbal and physical abuses, as well as other discriminatory acts.
Yumang said these include harassment, public humiliation, and actions that could trigger bias and stigma against Covid-19 front-liners and patients.
“It covers the spreading of unfounded reports or posts in the print and social media,” he said, adding that any public disclosure of the identities of suspected patients without authorization from the Department of Health and other related agencies is considered a violation of the ordinance.
Violators may face an outright fine of PHP5,000 and/or imprisonment of eight months to one year, depending on the court.
If the violator is an “unauthorized public officer”, Yumang said the maximum penalty provided in the ordinance would be imposed.
The penalty also applies to public officers who fail to render proper assistance to suspected Covid-19 patients and front-liners who will seek movement clearance. (PNA)
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