Nueva Ecija, Bataan ban discrimination

BAGUIO CITY, Benguet, Philippines — The provinces of Nueva Ecija and Bataan flexed their muscles against people who would discriminate, humiliate or refuse to help new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients and health front-liners by enacting measures penalizing such acts.

The ordinance and executive order issued last week by the Nueva Ecija provincial board and Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia, respectively, aimed to “prevent stigma, disgrace, shame or humiliation” of people suspected to have contracted the virus or those who have already been infected.

Penalties for violators of the Nueja Ecija ordinance included a fine of P5,000 and/or an imprisonment of not more than six years.

Garcia’s executive order prohibits “slanderous or abusive statements, malicious disclosure of information of possible and confirmed COVID-19 patients, and any form of harassment or threat.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government had urged local government units to issue ordinances to protect both COVID-19 patients and front-liners from discrimination and harassment.

—ARMAND GALANG AND GREG REFRACCION

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