By Jean Fernando
The Las Pinas City government came out with an ordinance restricting individuals from loitering and wandering within the territorial jurisdiction of the city and mandating its implementation during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar (City of Las Piñas Official Facebook Page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
According to Las Pinas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar, the City Council came out with such ordinance as a means to effectively contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It also aims to implement stringent social distancing and community quarantine by restricting the movement of people and encouraging them to stay at home during this crisis.
Aguilar said the ordinance is also in the interest of public order and safety. It is also imperative to regulate the movement of individuals during ECQ to protect them from COVID-19.
Any person found to have violated the ordinance shall be penalized with a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of not less than 30 days or both at the discretion of the court.
The mayor said that she wanted the city residents to follow the ECQ and they can only go outside (those who were issued with a quarantine pass) to buy basic needs such as food, medicine, and other things needed for sustenance.
She also said that it is the obligation and responsibility of parents to see to it that their children will not loiter in public places during the ECQ.
The mayor added that the ordinance also prohibits people from loitering, roaming around, wandering, or meandering in all public places, whether alone or with a group.