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Sorsogon to penalize 'dishonest' residents seeking medical help

By Mar Serrano

March 25, 2020, 9:10 pm

<p>Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero<em> (PNA file photo)</em></p>

Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero (PNA file photo)

LEGAZPI CITY -- Health authorities in Sorsogon province have urged residents seeking medical treatment to be honest in giving information to health personnel attending to their health concerns amid the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) plaguing the country.

Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero recently signed a “Patient’s Dishonesty Ordinance” penalizing patients who lie or give untruthful declaration during medical consultations and confinement in all private and public clinics and hospitals in the province.

Salvador Mendoza, Office of the Governor spokesperson, said in an interview that the ordinance was crafted to prevent people from being dishonest or untruthful in issuing records and documents about their health.

There have been cases of health workers being exposed to the Covid-19 virus because the patient did not disclose information such as recent travel abroad.

Mendoza said the ordinance was crafted in line with Republic Act 11332, the "Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases", which makes it a crime to conceal data or intentionally provide wrong information to health workers in times of public health emergency.

"Violators would face a jail term of one year and a fine ranging from PHP1,000 to PHP5,000," he said.

Sorsogon province is also enforcing a 24-hour curfew prohibiting minors aged 15 and below to roam around the streets and public places.

Escudero signed the curfew ordinance on Monday in line with the enhanced community quarantine imposed by the national government for Luzon to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Under the ordinance, any minor who violates the curfew would be made to perform community service. Parents and guardians who are found to be negligent or remiss in their parental duties to enforce home quarantine to their children would be reprimanded.

Escudero directed the provincial police, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to implement the ordinance. (PNA)

 

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