Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto. PHOTO FROM SOTTO’S TWITTER
MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has noted an increase in the number of business establishments in the city that violated health protocols amid the lockdown.
“Ang napansin po natin, pagdating sa mga establisyimento, mas marami pong violator ngayon kaysa nung nakaraang ECQ or MECQ,” the mayor said in an interview with INQside Look on Wednesday.
(What we noticed, when it comes to establishments, there are many violators now compared to previous ECQ or MECQ.)
Sotto said some of the establishments that were ordered closed due to violations included restaurants, gyms, and an events place.
Despite the violations, Sotto said he understands the plight of business owners amid the restrictions brought by the strict quarantine status.
“Of course, we have to implement the laws strictly without fear or favor. But, a part of me understands kasi kumbaga pakiramdam nila ‘ang tagal-tagal na, luging-lugi na kami, magsasara na kami, might as well isugal ko na ‘to’,” Sotto explained.
(Of course, we have to implement the laws strictly without fear or favor. But, a part of me understands because they may feel, “it is already too long, we are going bankrupt, we are going closed, I’m going to gamble it.”)
While he recognizes this challenge, Sotto said it is wrong and violators will not be spared from penalties.
“‘Pag ininspeksyon ng team natin nag-iikot everyday, ‘yung kapulisan, nag-iikot din ‘yan, ‘pag nahuli natin, ipapasara talaga natin. Ipe-penalize natin. Kung kailangan kasuhan, at kung tamang kasuhan, kakasuhan din ‘yan,” the mayor warned.
(If they will be inspected by our team who do rounds every day, our police officers also make rounds. If they are caught, the establishment will be closed. We will penalize them. If we need to file a case against them, we will do it.)
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