By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Criminal charges are now being mulled for individuals in Bacolod City who refuse to cooperate in getting a swab test for COVID-19.

Dr. Chris Sorongon, deputy for medical of the city’s Emergency Operations Center, said it is the responsibility of the city’s village chiefs and personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office to convince and remind the public, especially those identified as close contacts of COVID-positive patients, who refuse to get a swab test.

Sorongon said the police should file a blotter for those who continue to refuse and the matter should be forwarded to the City Legal Office for action to be taken.

He pointed out such moves by those who refuse to get swabbed is a violation under Republic Act 11332, or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.”

Sorongon also recommended that information dissemination and awareness should be stepped up even more in order for the city’s residents to better understand that getting a swab test is very important in controlling COVID-19 cases./DGB, WDJ