BALANGA CITY — Bataan Governor Albert Raymond Garcia signed Thursday an Executive Order prohibiting discriminatory acts against frontline workers and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in the province.
“Unfair and inhumane treatment, and perpetration of any kind of violence against health workers, frontliners, COVID-19 patients, persons under investigation and persons under monitoring, including their family members, if proven guilty, will be subjected to punishment,” Garcia said.
The acts include denying access to any public or social programs and services; denying entry or eviction from usual accommodation rented out or offered to the public or for a fee; denying access or admission to medical and other health services; and refusal to admit or expulsion from public markets and related establishments.
It also bars slanderous or abusive statements; malicious disclosure of information of possible and confirmed COVID-19 patients; and any form of harassment or threat of physical, mental and verbal violence, intimidation or other threatening disruptive behavior.
Any person who will commit the discriminatory acts shall be penalized in accordance with existing laws and ordinances. Garcia is encouraging the city and municipal governments within the province to adopt the issuance vi legislative action imposing penalties and/or imprisonment to any person found liable for the discriminatory acts.
