By Marisol Bo-oc | 11:49 PM July 20, 2020
Bohol Governor Arthur Yap on Monday said that quarantine breakers and violators will be fined and jailed in a bid to combat the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
As of Monday, there are 70 cases of Covid-19 recorded with 23 active cases, 44 recoveries and three deaths. Six patients, including a 13-year-old boy from Tagbilaran and 39-year-old delivery driver from Catigbian, got infected due to community transmission.
To some towns in Bohol using their local curfew ordinances, the penalty for violation of quarantine policies ranges from P50 to P200 to P2,500.
As a possible effect of the easily affordable penalties, people would tend to ignore the order health protocols and pay their way out of the violations.
A P3, 000 fine and six months to one year imprisonement will be imposed to violators who will not follow curfew hour, who will not wear a face mask and observe social distancing. Those who will attend mass gatherings will also be fined.
“We have been very understanding in the implementation of our laws, but the time has come that the greater good of the majority must be protected through the strict implementation of our Anti-Covid Protocols.” Bohol Governor Arthur Yap
The governor, who also issued a series of executive orders directing residents to properly observe the home quarantine against the dreaded corona virus disease, now said violators of quarantine protocols under Executive Order No. 33 and all other subsisting valid and effective issuances shall be prosecuted under Provincial Ordinance 2020-007, which intensifies the precautionary measures to avert the widespread contagion of Covid-19 and other emerging infectious diseases in Bohol and imposes sanctions for its violations.
“Aho kamong pahinumduman, nga ubos sa RA 11469 og sa Provincial Ordinance 2020-007, ang mga mapamatud-an nga naka-lapas sa mga kamandoan kabahin sa curfew, pag-sulob sa face mask, social distancing or mass gatherings, og ang mga establisemento nga dili mag-patuman sa kining mga kamandoan, silotan sa multa nga nag-kantidad sa tres mil pesos og ma preso sud sa unum ka buwan ngadto sa usa ka tuig,” Yap said.
Those who will return to Bohol without the approval of their local government units (LGUs) and those individuals who violate a medical isolation or quarantine order could be put in jail for up to one year and fined up to P5,000.
” Ang mga mo-uli sa Bohol nga way pag-tugot sa mga LGU, o dili mosunod sa atong mga protocol, silotan sa multa nga nagkantidad sa sinko mil pesos o ma preso sud sa usa ka tuig, human sa iyang quarantine sa iyang gasto,” Yap said.
Yap said he instructed police chiefs and mayors to look for additional detention centers for violators.
“We have been very understanding in the implementation of our laws, but the time has come that the greater good of the majority must be protected through the strict implementation of our Anti-Covid Protocols,” Yap said.
“Ipakita nato ang atong sakripisyo alang sa kaayuhan sa tanan, Uban sa atong mga paningkamot aron makalikay kita sa sakit, maghiusa usab kita sa pag ampo ngadto sa atong Labawng Makagagahum nga unta iya kitang panalipdan sa kanunay. May God keep you and your family safe. God save Bohol,” he added.
