LGU amends measure on curfew due to GCQ status

By Jason B. Neola

The City Ordinance 2020-046’s provision that imposes curfew hours from 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM in Naga has been changed from 12:00 midnight to 4:00 AM after the city was placed under the general community quarantine (GCQ) status by the national Inter Agency Task Force (IATF).

The amended ordinance was filed and endorsed by Councilor Joselito S.A. del Rosario during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod last Tuesday, Nov. 2. The city council enacted the measure on the same day and was approved by Mayor Nelson Legacion the following day, Nov. 3.

Del Rosario said that the amended measure, City Ordinance 2021-081, also contained a provision that gives additional time of one hour to workers/employees of business firms which close at 12:00 midnight for them to reach their places of residence.

He said that the one-hour exemption will only be good on condition that that the worker or employee can present, for verification purposes, an Identification Card to authorities reflecting his/her employment and address of employer.

Other provisions of the ordinance: During curfew hours, no person shall be in a public place such as streets, alleys, parks and plazas, playgrounds, subdivision open spaces, subdivision roads, building, and facilities where no legitimate business is normally transacted at nighttime, or in vacant/idle lot, or vacant/abandoned buildings/structures.

To facilitate the observance of curfew hours, business establishments which are normally open only for fixed period per day shall open only after 4:00 AM and close not later than 12:00 midnight. Businesses which are normally open 24/7 or even at night shall ensure that they do not serve as refuge for curfew violators.