Baclayon mayor laments people’s disregard for protocol 

Mayor Benecio R. Uy

Baclayon mayor Benny Uy lamented that some people are disregarding and/or taking for granted the protocol, which could be a reason for the spread of the Coronavirus disease (Covid).

The mayor expressed his opinion during a radio interview over Open Forum program on Sept. 1, 2021, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Dave Albarado.

He said that town authorities and the police have been religiously monitoring and issuing warnings to protocol violators.

The mayor continued that when the authorities or police turn their backs, the people would disregard the protocol and thus open the possibility of virus transmission.

He particularly cited the beaches in barangay Laya where there are people who would violate the protocol when no one is watching them.

These people would observe the protocol only when there are authorities around.

Unfortunately, they would abandon the observance of protocol when the authorities leave the area, the mayor said.

The mayor, during the interview, likened the situation to a game of “hide and seek”.

The Baclayon mayor also chided some business owners, such as restaurant operators, who allegedly disregard the protocol by allowing people into their establishments even if the number already exceeds what the allowable 50% venue capacity.

Moreover, he called on the business owners to also help the government by prudently following the mandated allowed capacity of their venue to prevent possible super spreader events.

“E-encourage ko ang tanan nga magbaton ug disiplina sa tagsa tagsa nga kaugalingon,” the mayor said in the interview.

He said that even if the authorities are doing their best to implement the protocol, there are some who would still engage in gatherings, which could become super spreader events.

Uy said that he already told the police to conduct inspections at the beach areas of barangay Laya especially on weekends, to ensure compliance to the protocol.

However, due to limitations of the police, there are still people who would dare to violate the protocol, the Baclayon mayor quipped.