PENALTY OF GARDENING. Violators of the enhanced community quarantine do gardening at the city nursery in Barangay Lara as penalty. Contributed photo
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – No strenuous exercises,no shameful dressing-down. Not even forced viewing of information materials on Covid-19, much less detention or charges in court.
It’s community service – in this instance, community gardening – for a number of first-time violators of the enhanced community quarantine rules in this city.
On April 18, first offenders served their penalty by rendering services at the city nursery in Barangay Lara under the “Rektang Gardening ng San Fernando PNP” program where they were given actual training on different gardening/planting methods.
City police chief Lt. Col. Paul Gamido said those penalized violated the orders on curfew hours, mandatory wearing of face mask, and presentation of a home quarantine pass while out of the house.
“Itong programang ginagawa natin ay tinatawag nating ‘Rektang Gardening ng San Fernando PNP’ kung saan imbes na kasuhan ang mga Fernandino sa kanilang violation, ay dadalhin natin sila sa lugar na ito upang matuto sila sa iba’t-ibang paraan ng pagtatanim,” he said.
The individuals were tasked to remove weeds from the plantation, pot mixed soils, plant various types of vegetables, and clean the nursery’s surroundings.
Gamido added that the program aims to aid the supply of agricultural products in the city, especially now that the ECQ has been extended until the end of the month.
“Sa ating tingin, isa ito sa mga pinakamaganda at pinakamadaling paraan upang matulungan nating maragdagan ang suplay ng pagkain sa syudad na mapapakinabangan naman ng mga Fernandino,” he added.
To date, Gamido shared, some 1,500 individuals have been apprehended and penalized with community service, with some having been arrested already a second time.
Future ECQ violators will also be brought to the city nursery to further support the efforts of the city in producing agricultural products to be distributed to Fernandinos.
Police said recidivists who will be subjected to arrest will undergo inquest proceedings for the offenses of non-cooperation and disobedience subjecting them to bail of P3,000 for their release.
