Cebu solon breaks silence on Camotes beach party, denies protocol breach

A screenshot of the video of the beach party held in San Francisco, Camotes Island last July 10 which an anonymous complainant reported to the DILG for possible violation of health protocols.

CEBU CITY – A Cebu congressman who hosted a beach party that allegedly violated the health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco town on the island of Camotes on July 10 broke his silence and defended the seaside affair.

According to Rep. Duke Frasco of Cebu’s fifth district, the party got the prior approval from concerned government agencies and coordinated with the local government, the police, barangay officials,  tanods, and health workers to make sure participants follow the health protocols to stop the spread of the virus.

Frasco is a son-in-law of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia.

“All 667 bikers and runners were required to fill out health declaration forms and undergo temperature checks before the event, as well as wear masks during the event. All participants were continuously reminded by the organizers before and during the event to follow necessary health/safety protocols and guidelines including wearing of masks and social distancing,” he said.

Last Aug. 13, an “anonymous complainant” informed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) about the beach party that followed the “Team Frasco Friendship Run/Ride” held on July 10 in San Francisco, Camotes Islands.

A video of the event, which went viral on social media, showed people not wearing face masks and did  not observe physical distancing while partying.

Frasco said he welcomes any investigation, saying he has documents to prove that they did not violate any protocol during their party.

He explained that the venue of the closing ceremonies was a wide area at the beach in Santiago Bay which could accommodate approximately 25,000 people.

The event, he said, only had 667 registered participants which was way below the 50 percent venue capacity allowed by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF).

EDV