Cebu City penalizes discrimination vs frontliners

CEBU, Philippines —  Those who will discriminate against medical and non-medical frontliners in Cebu City during a public health crisis, such as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, will now have to face the long arm of the law.

The City Council has approved the ordinance authored by Councilor David Tumulak entitled "The Frontliners Protection Ordinance of Cebu City."

Tumulak said amid the recent public health crisis brought about by the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new form of discrimination has become prevalent targeting frontliners.

Frontliners are the people engaged in directly fighting against the spread of COVID-19, including health professionals and other medical personnel, as well as non-medical frontliners like law enforcement officers and government officials, and even employees of establishments providing basic services during the health crisis.

He added that the Department of Health (DOH) has received various reports regarding discrimination against frontliners being refused basic services like public transport and laundry service, refused entry to supermarket or grocery stores, or being evicted from their lodging houses and apartments due to the fear of contamination.

As stated in the ordinance, it is unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to commit the following against any frontliner:

To deny access to public programs and services otherwise available to the public; refuse admission or expel from public markets, supermarkets, groceries, bakeshops, and convenience stores; refuse entry or eject from usual accommodation in any lodging house, apartment, motel, hotel, inn, dormitory and other places of dwelling being rented out or offered to the public or for a fee or give inferior accommodation or services by reason of his/her work as a frontliner;

Utter or post online slanderous or abusive statements which incites discrimination against a frontliner; subject any frontliner to any harassment or any threat of physical, mental and verbal violence, intimidation or other threatening disruptive behavior, among others.

Any person, natural or juridical, who commits any of the acts prohibited will be criminally liable and penalized accordingly.

The penalties are:

For first offense, a fine of P1, 000 or an imprisonment of one day to 30 days, or both, at the discretion of the court.

For second offense, a fine of P3, 000 or an imprisonment of one day to 30 days, or both, at the discretion of the court.

For third offense or oftener, a fine of P5, 000 or an imprisonment of one day to 30 days, or both, at the discretion of the court.

The Public Information Office (PIO) shall disseminate or post in conspicuous places within the city a copy of the ordinance.

In addition, the PIO shall coordinate with all the barangay captains to see to it that the copy of the ordinance shall be posted in conspicuous places within their respective barangays.

"Instead of discrimination, fear, and hate against the frontliners, they deserve to be treated as modern-day heroes as they put their lives at stake to respond to the public health crisis, and thus need the support and protection of the government," said Tumulak.  JMD (FREEMAN)