Iloilo City compliance officers were at the frontlines to ensure that every Ilonggo is free from COVID-19 while in public places.
Many were a bit irritated by the nature of work of the Iloilo City Compliance Officers and members of their team who made regular rounds in dense places within the city. Their work, however, is vital for it is them who ensure that each and everyone observes health protocols at all times, especially wearing of face mask, sanitizing the hands, and physical distancing.
Around 200 compliance officers were deployed following a series of surgical lockdowns and changing levels of health restrictions. Their work is mandated by Regulation Ordinance 2020-061: Wearing of Face Mask in Public, and Regulation Ordinance 2020-066: Implementing Physical Distancing. These policies ensure that establishments follow rules and regulations in relation to the ongoing pandemic.
The team members are knows as the Iloilo City Compliance Monitoring Team (CMT) and they are in charge of doing rounds in public places, making inspections to check if health protocols are observed at all times, and putting up public advisories in plazas, establishments, and other spaces frequented by people.
Moreover, they also coordinate with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) who released a guideline for the Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) to follow like having a signage with health protocol instructions for the commuters, a provision for alcohol based sanitizer or alcohol for the passengers. Among the policies imposed by the LTFRB then were the following: NO mask NO ride, NO mask NO travel for the drivers; only 50 percent passenger capacity on each PUJs; and that the passenger must pay directly to the driver before they ride.
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Violators of health protocol are issued citation ticket or with penalties ranging from P500 of individual violators or P5, 000 fine for public establishments for not ensuring physical distancing of one-meter space between persons are observed in their premises.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has emphasized that the City Government will impose strict compliance to wearing of face mask in public and physical distancing.