ILOILO CITY — Despite the numerous protests over the past two weeks, the Iloilo City government has an ordinance that restricts the movement of persons unvaccinated against COVID-19.
This was after the Iloilo City Council unanimously approved the proposal of Mayor Jerry Treñas during its regular session Tuesday, January 18.
Iloilo City Councilor Romel Duron, who chairs the committee on rules and resolutions, said that the ordinance still needs implementing rules and regulations (IRR) before it becomes official.
Based on the initial draft of the ordinance, persons who are not fully vaccinated or did not voluntarily get jabbed are not allowed to go out of their residences.
The only exception is if they are going out to purchase necessary goods or access basic services, but provided they can present swab test results that indicate they are not infected with COVID-19 for the last 72 hours.
While the unvaccinated can still avail basic services, they are not allowed to eat in any restaurant or leisurely go to the malls or go to entertainment or sports facilities.
The ordinance also mandates the presentation of vaccination cards if persons want to enter a government building or private establishment.
The ordinance can only be implemented if Iloilo City is under Alert Level 3 or a higher quarantine classification status.
On the other hand, groups have slammed the policy of the local government led by Treñas.
“Evidently, the Iloilo City government is bent on implementing such restrictions to put pressure on the citizens of Iloilo City to get vaccinated,” said Bayan Panay and Panay Alliance Karapatan in a position paper.
They see the move as an extension of Treñas’ policy, which they deem as unconstitutional.
“For months now, the government of Iloilo City has, by executive order, prohibited citizens who are unvaccinated for COVID-19 from entering the Iloilo City Hall, prompting some private establishments like stores, hotels, restaurants, bars, and resorts to institute a similar restriction,” the two groups pointed out.
“It will be tantamount to a deprivation of their livelihoods, the inaccessibility of basic social services, and forced isolation in their homes,” the groups emphasized.