COCKFIGHTING BAN. The city hall of Calbayog in Samar. The city government has ordered the closure of cockpit arenas and stoppage of all cockfighting activities due to rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019. (Photo courtesy of Rene Langwerden)
TACLOBAN CITY – The city government of Calbayog in Samar has ordered the closure of cockpit arenas and stoppage of all cockfighting activities due to rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Mayor Ronald Aquino signed a public advisory on Monday banning cockfighting in the entire city.
“In view of the sudden increase of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the city and the emergence of new strain in the country, cockfighting is hereby prohibited, effective immediately,” Aquino said.
A person operating or organizing a cockfight or any person participating or betting will be arrested for violating Presidential Decree No. 449 (Cockfighting law of 1974), as well as the City Ordinance No. 2017-0-002 (Cockfighting Ordinance of the City of Calbayog).
As of Jan. 17, the city recorded 927 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 804 recoveries and 11 deaths.
Most Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the villages of Obredo, Dagum, Balud, West Awang, Rawis, Capoocan, Hamorawon, San Policarpo, Aguit-itan, East Awang, Trinidad, Matobato, Payahan, Tinambacan Norte, Central, Bagacay, San Joaquin, Carayman, Tarabucan, and Gadgaran.
To prevent the further spread of the virus, the city government continues to seek cooperation from its residents to follow all health protocols, such as proper wearing of face masks and face shield when in public places, observance of physical distancing, and proper hand washing or using of sanitizers.
The city government asked residents not to discriminate against people who had recovered from the virus, and help them reintegrate to the community.
“All confirmed cases who have undergone quarantine and were given quarantine certificates are considered non-contagious in accordance with the World Health Organization and Department of Health guidelines,” the city government said in a statement. (PNA)
