COVID-19 protocol violators increase in Bacolod City

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) recorded an increase in the number of health protocol violators this year.

Based on the data of the BCPO, 9,545 violators were recorded from March to May this year, compared to last year’s 5,524 covering the same period.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Lester Leada, BCPO’s head of Operations Management Unit, said there were fewer violators last year because of the stricter quarantine status imposed to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The number of violators increase as the government eased the quarantine regimes and allowed more public mobility.

Leada also said that they need the help of the barangay from the grassroots level to continue educating residents about COVID-19 and the strict observance of the health protocols.

A total of 22,169 violators were reported from January to June 13, 2021, as the city remained under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

It is considered higher than last year’s record of 27,209 violators from the start of the enhanced community quarantine status in March 2020 to January 3, 2021.

This year’s figure included 5,071 curfew violators, 7,580 for non-wearing of face masks, 1,916 for non-observance of social distancing, 5,463 for non-wearing of face shields, and 2,139 liquor ban violators.

Leada said the violators were not taken in custody but were instead issued citation tickets and warned not to commit any more violations.

Leada reiterated the appeal of the city police force to follow the minimum health protocols to avoid getting fined or being made to do community service.

With that, they can help curb the transmission of COVID-19 cases here, considering the surge in cases recently.