Lazatin: Wear face mask or face penalty

Posted on August 04, 2020 by Admin

ANGELES CITY — Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. said anyone caught not wearing a face mask in the city's public places will be apprehended.

He announced the city-wide mandatory wearing of face mask during his public address on Monday night, August 3, via the City Information Office Facebook page.

This is also in accordance to the city government’s Ordinance no. 539, series of 2020, stating that residents and visitors in the city are required to wear face masks at all times and observe physical distancing.

Apart from this, Lazatin is also requiring residents going outside for basic necessities or work purposes to bring their quarantine passes issued by their respective barangays with them every single time.

“Simula ngayong araw, lahat ng lalabas ng bahay na walang suot na face mask, at walang dalang quarantine pass, pagmumultahin o ikukulong,” Lazatin reiterated.

Lazatin already deputized a task force authorized to apprehend violators — the Angeles City Police Officers, respective barangay officials, members of the Barangay Affairs and Public Assistance Center (BAPAC), Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Angeles City Traffic Development Office (ACTDO, City Health Office (CHO), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary (ACTA).

“Inatasan ko po ang ilan sa mga kawani ng City Hall, mga opisyal sa barangay, at maging ang mga kapulisan natin na hulihin lahat ng lalabag sa patakaran natin hinggil sa pagsusuot ng face mask at pagdala ng quarantine pass tuwing lalabas ng bahay,” Lazatin said.

If caught without a face mask and quarantine pass, the violator will be given a citation ticket and fined P1,000 for the first offense; P3,000 for the second offense; and P5,000 for the third offense with imprisonment of one to six months.

However, in the event that a frontliner, health worker, or a private worker did not bring his or her worker’s quarantine pass — an employee ID can be presented.

Lazatin then appealed to the barangay officials to double the effort in undertaking the health measures at the ground level.

“Nakikiusap po ako sa mga barangay officials natin sa 33 barangays na gawin po natin ang trabaho natin. Hindi ko po kakayanin magisa ang laban sa COVID-19,” Lazatin urged.

He also asked his constituents to follow the safety protocols set by the government, since most of the new active cases recorded in the city had attended social gatherings.

“Huwag po natin pairalin ang tigas ng ulo at simulan natin ang disiplina sa ating mga sarili. Iwasan muna po ang social gathering. Alam naman po natin na bawal yan,” Lazatin said.

“Magkaisa po tayong sumunod sa mga regulasyon ng inyong pamahalaan para sa kaligtasan ng bawat isang Angeleños,” he added.