QC gov’t reduces penalty for not wearing face mask

Quezon City Hall. (Photo from the Facebook account of the QC Government)

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Quezon City on Friday announced that it reduced the fines for violators who will be caught not wearing face masks or face coverings in public.

This was made possible as the LGU passed Ordinance No. SP-2957, S-2020—first introduced by councilors Franz Pumaren and Diorella Maria Sotto-Antonio—which amends the penalties in two previous measures approved by the City Council.

This means that fines are now at P300 for the first offense, P500 for the second offense, and P1,000 for the third offense.

Previously, fines were set P1,000, P3,000, and P5,000, respectively.

“Given the present economic situation, there is a need to decrease the penalties imposed because it is more viable for violators to comply with such,” the recently passed ordinance read.

But the latest ordinance requires the issuance of an Ordinance Violation Receipt (OVR) to violators. With the OVR, violators won’t be brought to the Philippine National Police headquarters or Amoranto Sports Complex for documentation

The LGU explained that under the new ordinance, violators just need to pay the fine before the OVR lapses in five days.

Should violators fail to settle the fine, a case will then be filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office, which will reflect on their police record when they apply for a police clearance, the LGU added.

1,300 health protocol violators caught

Meanwhile, the QC LGU also said it caught 1,312 people who violated the city’s health protocols.

These residents were caught for various violations particularly on non-wearing of face masks, the LGU said.

The violators were then brought to the Quezon Memorial Circle for proper documentation and underwent a lecture through a film viewing on heath protocols on COVID-19.

Violators have also meted fines based on the newly passed ordinance.

JPV