BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The local chief executive has issued an order here suspending the “holding of mass gatherings and public events involving a large number of attendees.”
The order covers mass gatherings, social events such as village fiestas and prayer rallies, school activities or gatherings both in private and public, sports activities, amusement, entertainment that draw large crowds, such as cockfights or concerts, rallies or assemblies, and other similar activities.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, in issuing Executive Order No. 18, cited the Constitutional provision under Article 2 that says it is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right of the health of the people as the primary basis for the order.
The mayor also cited the Local Government Code, the health secretary’s confirmation of local transmission and President Duterte’s recent upgrading of the COVID19 alert sublevel two and the placing of Metro Manila under community quarantine.
Leonardia also cited the need for containment measures, “and the necessity for social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID19” and the health department advisory that strongly urges the public to avoid attending, taking part in, and organizing events that draw huge number of attendees.
