Pateros Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III announced Friday that a total liquor ban will be imposed in the entire municipality starting Saturday as the number of new daily coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases sharply increased.
“I will issue an executive order and we will impose again a total liquor ban in Pateros. I repeat, starting at midnight tonight, we will have a liquor ban. Selling and buying liquor will be prohibited, and those intoxicated are also prohibited from loitering in public places. We really need to be strict so that we will not be ravaged by the Delta variant that we suspect is already in our town,” said Ponce in a live broadcast on Facebook.
The Pateros municipal government has recorded 75 new COVID-19 cases on July 29, according to the mayor, saying this is saddening as the municipality had only 13 to 16 new daily cases two weeks ago.
Ponce said the initial report he received Thursday indicated that there were 119 people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Brgy. Martirez Del 96.
On Thursday, the mayor ordered the arrest of people violating the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields in the municipality due to the threat of the highly contagious Delta variant and the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Pateros.
“Yesterday, there were many who were apprehended. Do not let this happen to you,” said Ponce as he defended his decision against netizens who commented that it is only an added hardship amid the ongoing situation in the country.
Ponce said, “You will not be arrested if you do not violate (the rules). So do not say that why order the arrest (of violators) when life is already difficult. Wear face masks properly, wear face shields properly, and observe social distancing. There will be no problem."
The mayor ordered barangay chairmen and barangay employees to arrest violators of health protocols.
“So we should not complain. If you do not violate, you will not be arrested. Please be conscious and aware of what you do. Do not let your kids out of the house. Be afraid especially for those who refuse to be vaccinated. You do not want to be vaccinated and yet, you still do not follow the rules. If positive cases increase in our town, you will blame the government. We cannot guard everyone. Please cooperate,” said Ponce.
As of July 28, Pateros has 65 active cases including 27 new cases recorded for the day out of 4,821 confirmed cases, 4,689 recoveries, and 67 deaths.