ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — Anyone in Lanao del Norte caught not wearing face masks outside their homes may be fined up to P2,000 or imprisoned for six months.
These are the penalties under Provincial Ordinance No. 03-2020 which imposed the mandatory wearing of face mask and strict observance of social or physical distancing.
The Ordinance which was posted on the provincial government’s Facebook page on Monday, May 4, required every person in Lanao del Norte to wear a face mask when going outside of their residence, at the workplace, when entering government buildings and offices, and while in public places.
Owners of private establishments and transport services are also ordered to require persons entering their establishments to wear face masks or other similar personal protective equipment.
To ensure compliance, business establishments are required to post a “No Face Mask No Entry” signage at the entrance of the establishment, establish a system to ensure social distancing which includes reducing the number of customers at a given time, and to display at or near the entrance a copy of the Ordinance.
Section 7 of the Ordinance states that persons who violate the order could be penalized as follows: a fine of P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, and P2,000 and/or maximum imprisonment of six months for the third offense.
The owner or proprietor of a business establishment who violates the Ordinance could also be fined P3,000 for the first offense, P4,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 and/or maximum imprisonment of six months for the third offense.
The Ordinance should be followed during the period of Enhanced Community Quarantine and/or until the State of Public Health Emergency is lifted or withdrawn by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. (APB/PIA ICIC)
