Navotas locals play basketball, loiter sans masks and social distancing

Amid the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Navotas, some residents refused to stop playing basketball and littering outside their homes without face masks and social distancing.

According to Mav Gonzales' report on "24 Oras Weekend," a group of men in Market 3, Navotas City has a habit of playing basketball at 4 without using face masks while their audience does not practice social distancing.

However, the barangay on Friday removed the basketball ring from the court, earning the approval of the other residents.

"Eh, kung minsan iniisip din namin na wala nang respeto sa ano, sa batas natin na ano kailangan nila mag-suot ng face mask. Kailangan sisitahin talaga sila ng mas mataas," Gina Tamayo, a resident, said.

"Kasi kung kami-kami lang, aawayin pa rin kami niyan," she added.

However, even without the basketball ring, some residents were still loitering outside without face masks.

As of present, there are 502 active COVID-19 cases in the city.

"Madaming places sa Navotas na ganoon. 'Yung mga kabataan nag-lalaro, walang mask, walang social distancing. Kung titignan mo 'yung IATF guidelines, hindi nga sila dapat nasa labas ng bahay," Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

Tiangco pleaded with parents to discipline their children.

"Sila talaga ang mananagot diyan. Sila ang magbabayad ng fine o sila ang gagawa ng community service, no. Kaya lang hindi naman natin interes 'yung kolektahan sila ng fine, eh. 'Yun lang ay para matuto sila eh. Ang gusto natin is huminto itong COVID," he added. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News