Instead of making them stand under the heat of the sun or do body exercises for several hours, San Fernando in Pampanga has found a more productive way to discipline quarantine violators: the city makes them plant squash and okra for two to three hours.
On a post shared by the City of San Fernando, Pampanga Information Office Facebook page, “Bilang parte ng programang “Rektang Gardening ng San Fernando PNP,” alinsunod sa adbokasiyang isinasagawa ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Syudad San Fernando na hinihikayat ang mga Fernandino na magtanim sa kanilang bakuran ng mga gulay upang magkaroon ng food production kahit nakasailalim sa ECQ ay nakapaglinis at nakapagtanim ng iba’t-ibang uri ng gulay ang mga indibidwal sa City Nursery sa Barangay Lara.”
[“As part of our program ‘Rektang Gardening ng San Fernando PNP,’ it is our advocacy in the local government of the City of San Fernando to encourage Fernandinos to plant vegetables in their homes so that while we are under ECQ, we can continue to produce food in the City Nursery at Barangay Lara.”]
The page added, “Ang layunin ng programang ito ay maturuan ang mga Fernandino sa iba’t-ibang paraan ng pagtatanim upang maragdagan pa ang suplay ng pagkaing agrikultura sa Syudad, ngayong ito ay humaharap sa krisis dulot ng sakit na coronavirus disease o COVID-19.”
[“The program aims to teach Fernandinos to plant to add to the city’s supply of agricultural products, now that we are under crisis due to the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.”]
According to Col. Paul Gamido, city police director, at least 35 citizens have been punished because they did not follow directives of the enhanced community quarantine, such as following curfew hours, mandatory wearing of face mask, and bringing the home quarantine pass when stepping out of the house.
Citizens are asked to go home after community service, with the warning that they may get arrested or be fined for non-cooperation and disobedience for a repeat offense.
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