IATF lauds LGUs for coming up with anti-discrimination ordinances
Published Apr 20, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases commended all local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila for coming up with anti-discrimination ordinances amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Photo from Karlo Nograles / Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a press conference, Cabinet Secretary and IATF spokesman Karlo Nograles cited a report from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) saying that all LGUs in Metro Manila now have an anti-discrimination ordinance in place.
Nograles said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has warned that all forms of discrimination, harassment, or abuse on frontliners will not go unpunished.
He urged victims of such acts, or those who witnessed them, to report to the NBI through 09664723056 for Globe subscribers and 09617349450 for Smart subscribers. They can also call the NBI regional number 09751539146 or through landline at (02) 852 40237.
Last week, President Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest those who are committing discriminatory acts against the medical frontliners dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I’d like to order the police. If there’s a report of somebody harassing or facing a discriminatory act, you arrest the person," he said.
"Huwag mong bitawan hanggang hindi ko sinabi na bitawan. Tawagan ko lang kayo kung panahon na (Don't release them until I say so. I'll call you up when it's time)," he added.
President Duterte said the public should not discriminate nor harass health workers as they are the ones who will take care of them if they get sick.
"'Pag tinamaan kayo ng COVID, didiretso kayo sa hospital, sino'ng nagsusugal ng buhay nila doon? ‘Yung mga doctor pati ‘yung health workers (If you get infected by COVID-19, you'll go straight to the hospital. Who are there risking their lives? The doctors and health workers)," he said in the meeting aired late Monday.
"Paglabas niyan sa hospital cleared na sila. So huwag ninyong i-discriminate ‘yan (Don't discriminate against them because once they step out of the hospitals, they are already cleared of the disease)," he added.
Duterte said those discriminating against health workers should not go to hospitals when they are sick.
The IATF had earlier said the discriminatory acts include, but are not limited to, coercion, libel, slander, physical injuries, and the dishonor of contractual obligations such as contracts of lease or employment.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Photo from Karlo Nograles / Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a press conference, Cabinet Secretary and IATF spokesman Karlo Nograles cited a report from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) saying that all LGUs in Metro Manila now have an anti-discrimination ordinance in place.
Nograles said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has warned that all forms of discrimination, harassment, or abuse on frontliners will not go unpunished.
He urged victims of such acts, or those who witnessed them, to report to the NBI through 09664723056 for Globe subscribers and 09617349450 for Smart subscribers. They can also call the NBI regional number 09751539146 or through landline at (02) 852 40237.
Last week, President Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest those who are committing discriminatory acts against the medical frontliners dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I’d like to order the police. If there’s a report of somebody harassing or facing a discriminatory act, you arrest the person," he said.
"Huwag mong bitawan hanggang hindi ko sinabi na bitawan. Tawagan ko lang kayo kung panahon na (Don't release them until I say so. I'll call you up when it's time)," he added.
President Duterte said the public should not discriminate nor harass health workers as they are the ones who will take care of them if they get sick.
"'Pag tinamaan kayo ng COVID, didiretso kayo sa hospital, sino'ng nagsusugal ng buhay nila doon? ‘Yung mga doctor pati ‘yung health workers (If you get infected by COVID-19, you'll go straight to the hospital. Who are there risking their lives? The doctors and health workers)," he said in the meeting aired late Monday.
"Paglabas niyan sa hospital cleared na sila. So huwag ninyong i-discriminate ‘yan (Don't discriminate against them because once they step out of the hospitals, they are already cleared of the disease)," he added.
Duterte said those discriminating against health workers should not go to hospitals when they are sick.
The IATF had earlier said the discriminatory acts include, but are not limited to, coercion, libel, slander, physical injuries, and the dishonor of contractual obligations such as contracts of lease or employment.