As many have welcomed the national government’s move to allow the optional wearing of face masks outdoors through Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s executive order (EO), some Davao folks are worried about the possible rise of COVID-19 cases after the city government declared it will abide by the new policy.
Both the city of government of Davao and Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) are experiencing difficulties to hire more personnel to address the surge of COVID-19 cases in Davao Region.
Davaoeños must brace for the surge of the COVID-19 omicron variant that may last until middle of March.
Davao City has seen 75 new COVID-19 cases this week, which has prompted the city government to prepare for the possible rise of infection after the holiday season.
In Southern Mindanao, the human rights group Karapatan recorded 56 deaths of human rights defenders from the start of the Duterte administration from July 2016 to August 2021. The region also tallied 30 political detainees in the same period.
Residents fear such events become a super spreader for the COVID-19 especially with news of a new omicron variant.
Establishments and workplaces may allow their unvaccinated employees to report for work, provided that they be tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
With the drop of COVID-19 infections, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases classifying the city to a less-strict Alert Level 2 status.
City officials said that looking at the culture of indigenous communities, members of the tribe rely on their leaders’ decision, which is why officials would want to dialogue and encourage them to take part to gain trust on vaccines.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio postponed her supposed three-day medical leave to Singapore scheduled from October 5 to 8 as one of her companions tested positive to COVID-19.
