Pampanga adopts anti-discrimination law ordinance
Published Apr 24, 2020 12:00 am
By Donna Rempillo
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Governor Dennis Pineda has approved an ordinance, penalizing those who will discriminate against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) probable, suspects and confirmed cases, as well as health workers and frontliners, with imprisonment not exceeding one year, and will fine of up to P5,000.
(GOVERNOR DELTA / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
“COVID-19 patients, PUIs (persons under investigation), PUMs (persons under monitoring), health workers and other frontliners are presently experiencing discrimination and stigma because of the perceived danger they pose in spreading the virus,” Pineda said.
The ordinance stated that it was the policy of the province to respect, protect, and promote the human rights and welfare of persons confirmed to be positive for COVID-19, suspected cases, probable cases, health workers, and frontliners.
The scope of the ordinance will include all acts of discrimination, harassment, violence, bullying that causes stigma, shame, indignity, dishonor and humiliation or harm.
It will also include restrictions on travel and habitation, on shelter and forced ejectment, and employment and unequal benefits, as well as forcible layoff or early retirement, expulsion or refusal of admission in learning institutions, banning and eviction in business establishments, and denial of burial services.
Disclosure of information of patients will be pursuant to Republic Act No. 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act and when made pursuant to a lawful court order and all other disclosures are unauthorized.
It was also written that mass media, including broadcast media will be subjected to the ordinance, if there will be unlawful disclosure of information including name, image, address and will lead to the identification of person having confirmed, suspected or probable cases of coronavirus disease.
The provincial board explained that media disclosure shall be allowed if the person subject of the information gives prior consent; provided further, that this provision shall not cover reports from the government specifying the general location of persons confirmed to be positive with COVID-19.
The Department of Health Region 3 commends the efforts of the provincial and local government units in protecting welfare of patients and health care workers in Central Luzon.
“These measure protect the fundamental rights of privacy of every person afflicted with COVID-19 as well as persons attending to and responding to their medical needs. It also protects their human dignity from being discriminated, humiliated, and being disassociated with. Protection of everyone against any form of discrimination and promotion of equal treatment of people regardless of their status, religion, race, health, physical or medical condition, gender, age, economic status, social status, or occupation is ensured,” DOH Regional Director Cesar Cassion said.
(GOVERNOR DELTA / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
“COVID-19 patients, PUIs (persons under investigation), PUMs (persons under monitoring), health workers and other frontliners are presently experiencing discrimination and stigma because of the perceived danger they pose in spreading the virus,” Pineda said.
The ordinance stated that it was the policy of the province to respect, protect, and promote the human rights and welfare of persons confirmed to be positive for COVID-19, suspected cases, probable cases, health workers, and frontliners.
The scope of the ordinance will include all acts of discrimination, harassment, violence, bullying that causes stigma, shame, indignity, dishonor and humiliation or harm.
It will also include restrictions on travel and habitation, on shelter and forced ejectment, and employment and unequal benefits, as well as forcible layoff or early retirement, expulsion or refusal of admission in learning institutions, banning and eviction in business establishments, and denial of burial services.
Disclosure of information of patients will be pursuant to Republic Act No. 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act and when made pursuant to a lawful court order and all other disclosures are unauthorized.
It was also written that mass media, including broadcast media will be subjected to the ordinance, if there will be unlawful disclosure of information including name, image, address and will lead to the identification of person having confirmed, suspected or probable cases of coronavirus disease.
The provincial board explained that media disclosure shall be allowed if the person subject of the information gives prior consent; provided further, that this provision shall not cover reports from the government specifying the general location of persons confirmed to be positive with COVID-19.
The Department of Health Region 3 commends the efforts of the provincial and local government units in protecting welfare of patients and health care workers in Central Luzon.
“These measure protect the fundamental rights of privacy of every person afflicted with COVID-19 as well as persons attending to and responding to their medical needs. It also protects their human dignity from being discriminated, humiliated, and being disassociated with. Protection of everyone against any form of discrimination and promotion of equal treatment of people regardless of their status, religion, race, health, physical or medical condition, gender, age, economic status, social status, or occupation is ensured,” DOH Regional Director Cesar Cassion said.