By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) yesterday said they will no longer allow any public display of affection (PDA).

NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Lt. Abegael Donasco, said the decision to implement the ban on any PDA is part of the physical distancing protocols to further cut the number of COVID-19 transmissions.

Donasco said they will not make any apprehensions, although they will tell anyone they see holding hands or kissing in public to stop.

Once they receive the written order from the Philippine National Police (PNP), they may also start issuing citation tickets.

Earlier, PNP spokesperson, Police Brigadier Gen. Ildebrandi Usana, said that given the strict quarantine restrictions and reopening of the economy, people tend to miss each other and will do things to make up for lost time.

Some medical doctors support the move, especially as there is a noted increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country recently.

However, the idea is also met with some criticism, with Senate President Pro Temporary Ralph Recto even calling it as “absurd.”/DGB, WDJ