The Quezon City government netted over 1,300 health protocol violators in a “one-time, big-time” operation conducted by its law and order cluster, spearheaded by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS).
The cluster, which also includes the barangay and the Task Force on Transport and Traffic Management (TFTTM), has apprehended a total of 1,312 individuals for various violations, particularly on non-wearing of face masks in public places.
The violators were brought to the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) grandstand for proper documentation.
They also underwent lecture and film viewing on health protocols and other precautionary measures on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). They were also meted lower fines in accordance with the newly passed Ordinance No. SP-2957, S-2020, which imposes P300, P500 and P1,000, for the first, second and third offenses, respectively.
Two previous Ordinances (SP-2908, S-2020) and (SP-2936, S-2020) meted a penalty of P1,000, P3,000 and P5,000, respectively, against those not wearing face masks in public places.
According to DPOS head retired General Elmo San Diego, they will use the unified Ordinance Violation Receipt (UOVR) in their succeeding operations to do away with the logistical challenge of transporting violators from point of contact to the place of documentation.
“Next time, ticket na lang at hindi na sila dadalhin sa PNP HQ or Amoranto. They have to pay the fine sa Treasurer’s Office before it lapses in 5 days,” said San Diego.
“If they do not pay within that period, a case shall be filed with the City Prosecutors Office, which will reflect on their record once they apply for a police clearance,” he added.
The barangay where the violator resides will be duly notified of the unpaid OVR and it could be used as ground for non-issuance of barangay clearance or other documents.
Mayor Joy Belmonte reiterated her call to residents to follow health protocols amid the pandemic, particularly the wearing of face masks in public places.
“Sa ngayon, pangunahing depensa natin laban sa COVID-19 ay ang pagsusuot ng face mask kaya ugaliin na natin ito tuwing tayo’y nasa mga pampublikong lugar,” she stressed.
