A total of 82 purok (zone) leaders of Barangay Poblacion in Kidapawan City have been deputized as agents in the implementation of anti-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures in the area.
Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the purok leaders have been authorized to enforce an ordinance prohibiting certain acts to contain COVID-19 in the city.
The new deputies will act as a force multipliers.
“Being deputized agents, they are entitled to issue a citation ticket to any violators of Ordinance 20-1309 that requires the mandatory use of facemask, stringent practice of physical distancing, among others,” Evangelista said.
The purok leaders are also allowed to prohibit big gatherings, implementation of no handshaking policy and liquor ban, and observance of locally-imposed 9 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew hours, the mayor added.
The ordinance imposes a fine of P500 for the first offense; P1,000 for a second offense; and P2,000 for the third offense.
“It is better to prevent than to cure an infected patient.”
“We have this common objective which is to avoid any local transmission of COVID-19 in our community. It is better to prevent than to cure an infected patient,” he said.
The new deputies will act as a force multiplier for the local police, barangay officials, and city hall employees who were included in the Compliance Monitoring Team tasked to implement the ordinance.