THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), in its virtual session on September 21, deferred the adoption of the proposal of the SM Group of Companies and other business establishments for the relaxation of curfew hours in Pangasinan from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The SP adopted the position of Governor Amado Espino III and the provincial Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) that the curfew hours should not be relaxed in view of the sudden increase in COVID-19  cases in the province.

The position was shared by P/Colonel Redrico Maranan, police provincial director, who said the relaxation of the curfew could lead to more COVID-19 cases, citing the habit of Filipino men holding drinking  sessions at night till the wee hours in the morning sans social distancing.

He pointed out that since 90 percent of the Pangasinenses are considered Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs) with the reopening of businesses, APORs are exempted from the curfew if they have work at night.

Two weeks ago, SM Group of companies, which operates shopping malls in Rosales, Urdaneta City and Dagupan City, and other business owners in Pangasinan, sought the amendment of Provincial Ordinance No. 237-2020 that set the curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

In Dagupan, the SP has already changed its curfew period 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Second District Board Member Nestor Reyes, SP majority floor leader, said most of the SP members are inclined to make adjustments in the curfew hours but agreed to put off the discussion and debate owing to present state of the COVID-19 contagion in the province.

The League of Municipalities of Pangasinan headed by Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil, had written to the SP expressing support for the proposed relaxation of the curfew to 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

However, the Provincial Advisory Council of the PNP, which Bataoil also heads, wants the curfew to be adjusted from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. and not 5:00 a.m.

Sixth District Board Member Noel Bince expressed support for the governor’s position while Board Member Gracia Rosario Perez-Tababa, a co-author of the  Provincial Ordinance No. 237-2020, said the status quo should remain till COVID-19 dissipates if not completely eliminated.

While Fourth District Board Member Agerico Jeremy Rosario, the other co-author of the ordinance, said the early curfew has began taking its toll on the economy, he supported the move to defer action on the proposal to relax the curfew hours.

Board Member Von Mark Mendoza said there is a need to establish if curfew has really deterred the spread of COVID-19 cases in Pangasinan. (Leonardo Micua)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments