MANILA, Philippines — The Pasay City government on Wednesday approved an ordinance that would punish persons who would discriminate and harm coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients and frontliners during the present health crisis.
Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano signed City Ordinance No. 6100 series of 2020 that bans “any act of discrimination, harassment, violence, cyber-bullying that causes stigma, shame, indignity, dishonor, humiliation or harm against confirmed COVID-19 infected persons, close contact, persons under investigation, persons under monitoring, health workers, hospital employees or frontliners.”
Under the ordinance, those who discriminate against frontliners and COVID-19 patients will pay a fine of up to P5,000 and face jail time of not more than six months.
Rubiano said in a statement that the ordinance was approved after the city government received reports that patients infected with the coronavirus disease, medical workers and other frontliners have experienced incidents of discrimination.
“It observed that “COVID-19 infected persons, (persons under investigation), (persons under monitoring), health workers, hospital employees, and other frontliners are presently experiencing stigma because of the perceived danger they pose in spreading the virus,” Rubiano said.
As of Tuesday, April 14, the Pasay City government recorded 86 positive COVID-19 cases, including 13 recovered patients and 10 deaths.