Discrimination vs health workers, COVID-19 patients now a crime in Puerto Princesa

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—A local law has been enacted in the city making it a crime to discriminate against health workers and COVID-19 patients.

Vice Mayor Nancy Socrates, one of the authors of the ordinance, said on Tuesday (July 14) that the measure was enacted after reports of discrimination swamped officials.

The city council received reports of cases of health workers and patients suffering from discrimination in the city. Some of the forms of discrimination were being refused entry in grocery stores and denied rides in public utility vehicles.

“There were instances where it was reported to us that they are not allowed to purchase in stores, or people avoid them,” said the vice mayor, who also presides over the city council.

Socrates said there were also instances when health workers and patients were refused rides in tricycles and a transport mode called multi-cab, or small-engine vans.

Any person found violating the ordinance will be fined P2,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second and P5,000 for the third.

The ordinance had been approved on Monday and applies to discrimination against not only health workers, but also persons suspected of infection and overseas Filipino workers returning to Palawan.

Edited by TSB