Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has warned officials of private condominiums and subdivisions that they face “imprisonment and hefty fines” should they refuse to cooperate with the local government in its measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Belmonte said on Saturday (July 25) that she will not hesitate to take appropriate action following incidents where a condominium in Barangay Sto. Cristo and a subdivision in Barangay Matandang Balara refused to allow the city government's contact tracers to enter their premises despite pleas from authorities.
“Nakakalungkot ang nangyaring ito dahil dapat ay nagkakaisa tayo sa paglaban kontra sa COVID-19 (This is sad because we should be united in the fight against COVID-19),” Belmonte said.
The city government said it will file charges against the officials of the condominium and subdivision for violating Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
"The city is also mulling to file other charges against them for their non-cooperation and for preventing our health personnel from doing their duty,” Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo added.
Those found guilty will be fined at least ₱20,000 but not more than ₱50,000, or will be imprisoned for not less than one month but not more than six months, according to the local government.
"If other homeowners and condominium associations remain uncooperative, we have no other option but to hale them to court as well," Belmonte said.
“Pero huwag na sanang umabot pa sa korte ang usapan. Nananawagan ako sa homeowners and condominium associations na makiisa sa ating kampanya laban sa COVID-19, alang-alang sa kaligtasan ng lahat (But I hope that this will not end up in the courts. I’m calling on all homeowners and condominium associations to unite in the fight against COVID-19 for the sake of everyone's safety),” she added.