Pasig copies Manila’s rule banning discrimination vs COVID-19 patients, frontliners

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig City government adopted the city of Manila’s ordinance punishing any act of discrimination against patients infected with the novel coronavirus, even suspected carriers of the virus, as well as medical frontliners at this time of a pandemic.

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto posted a copy of the ordinance on Twitter, saying they adopted the local law shared by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

“Covers all forms of discrimination, including on (Facebook). Applies to all COVID-related cases (positive or not) & frontliners,” Sotto said Saturday.

“Mayor Isko of Manila City shared their ordinance (with) us a couple of (weeks) ago; now we have adopted it,” he added.

Pasig City’s “Anti-Discrimination Due to Infectious Diseases Ordinance” prohibits any individuals from doing any act that “causes stigma, disgrace, shame, humiliation, harassment, or discrimination” against persons checked for the infectious disease, COVID-19 infected patients, and medical workers.

Specifically, discrimination against public and private doctors, nurses, health workers, emergency personnel, and volunteers, service workers assigned to hospitals or other centers where infected persons are being treated is disallowed.

KGA