QC to reward cops with incentives for COVID-19 rules enforcement

The Quezon City government announced on Saturday that, given the spike of COVID-19 cases in the locality, it would heighten the enforcement of health protocols by providing non-cash incentives to police officers who ensured the implementation of minimum health standards in the city.

"The city government will be enforcing stricter monitoring of the implementation of health protocols with the help of [the QC Police District] led by PBGen Danilo Macerin. And to further encourage our 16 police stations in our enforcement, we will be initiating a non-cash, outputs-based incentive system for them," said Mayor Joy Belmonte in a statement.

"We hope that through these incentives, maaasahan natin yung puspusang pagsisiguro na nasusunod ang health protocols ng lungsod para at least mabawasan ang transmission o hawaan ng COVID sa ating mga komunidad."

Among the actions the QCPD was expected to take was to intensify foot patrols in the city's special lockdown areas, barangays with high COVID-19 cases, hang-out areas such as basketball courts, transport terminals and footbridges, public markets and commercial establishments, government facilities and places of worship, and areas where violations of health protocols were regularly observed or reported.

Police officers would also look into whether protocols were being followed in public transport vehicles including tricycles.

Each police station would also submit a daily report, which would include the total number of ordinance violation receipts (OVRs) issued, and highlight the top three violations and barangays and establishments where most violations occurred.

The Department of Public Order and Safety would analyze the reports and would forward its findings to the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit. The CESU will then recommend where enforcement operations should be focused or re-focused.

Violators would also have to pay their penalties within seven days of the issuance at the DPOS and City Treasurer's Office (CTO) at QC Hall, or satellite CTO offices. — DVM, GMA News