Manila Bulletin
QC gov't passes law penalizing COVID-19-related discrimination
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte signed Executive Order No. 26, Series of 2020, penalizing discrimination against COVID-19 patients, suspected cases, their households, and frontliners.
The ordinance also protects healthcare and emergency workers and their families from discrimination.
Violators will face penalties under Republic Act No. 11332, the Data Privacy Act, Cybercrime Prevention Act, and the Revised Penal Code.
Belmonte stated that discrimination has no place in the city during the crisis, and appropriate punishment is expected to deter such actions.
The order came after the DILG encouraged local government units to enact measures protecting frontliners and those affected by COVID-19 from discrimination.
The DOH had reported incidents of discrimination, including evictions, harassment, and refusal of services and accommodations, due to fears of infection.
Prohibited acts include denial of access to places or services, stigmatization, and disclosure of personal data of those with or suspected of having COVID-19.
Public officials are also barred from refusing assistance to individuals with or suspected of having COVID-19.
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The Nueva Ecija provincial government has enacted an ordinance that penalizes discrimination against individuals affected by COVID-19, including patients, suspected cases, and frontline workers.
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The city of Manila has enacted Ordinance No. 8624, an anti-discrimination measure to protect individuals with or suspected of having COVID-19, as well as frontliners, from stigmatization and harassment.
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Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra supports local government initiatives to combat discrimination against health workers and COVID-19 patients during the ongoing health emergency.
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Senator Risa Hontiveros urged local government units (LGUs) to pass and implement measures to protect health workers and other frontliners from discrimination.
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The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging local government units (LGUs) to enact ordinances that penalize discrimination against COVID-19 frontliners.
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