DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced on Monday the cancellation of the 83rd Araw ng Dabaw following novel Coronavirus scare.
In her statement, the mayor said that due to the increasing cases of nCoV worldwide and the limitation of the city’s health care facilities, she has decided to cancel the celebration including major events of the 83rd Araw ng Dabaw celebration, including Pasiugdang Pagsaulog, Reyna Dabawenya, Ginoong Davao, Sayaw Pinoy, Kalingawan sa Sta. Ana, Hudyaka, Mutya ng Dabaw, Pasidungog, Araw ng Empleyado, Kanta Bidabawenyo, Parada Dabawenyo, and the Datu Bago Awards.
“Because of these limitations, our plan for us Dabawenyos is to ensure that we do not get the infection. Please read all available information on how you can keep you, your children, and the entire family healthy. It is important to keep your immune system strong. Avoid crowded places and activities that will propagate the spread of the virus,” said Mayor Sara.
The mayor also clarified that despite the cancellation of major events, the city government will still push through the Misa ng Pasasalamat as the one and the only event to push through in the month-long celebration.
March 1 and 16 will also remain as a special non-working holidays as it was declared earlier through presidential proclamations.
Permanent Ban
Starting February 11, Mayor Sara has permanently banned all welcome and send-off groups at airports, seaports, bus terminals, and other transportation hubs.
She added that the ban is not only due to the possible spread of the virus “but for reasons of safety and security”.
“Only employees, workers, drivers and passengers are allowed in these places,” she said.
Among the guidelines for airports, seaports, bus/van terminal, other transportation hubs as the following;
- Only passengers, employees, workers, taxi/grab drivers, and individuals who have transactions inside these areas are allowed.
- Welcome and send-off parties/groups in these areas, even at the parking lots, are permanently banned. All welcome greetings shall be made at your respective residences.
- Passengers can be dropped off and picked up by private or public transport only.
- Passengers who are senior citizens, pregnant women, ladies with infants and small children and persons with disabilities are the only individuals allowed with assistants in addition to their drivers.
- The convergence of people who are covered by guideline No.1 in any part of port or the terminal is strictly not allowed.
- High ranking national government officials, guest of the government, and members of the Diplomatic and Consular groups are allowed with security personnel.
- Taxi, Grab and other ride-sharing vehicles, bus, and van drivers must wear masks and ensure that they clean and disinfect vehicles before and after delivery of passengers to their destinations.
Closure of establishments
The mayor also ordered the Department of Trade and Industry to monitor and ensure the price freeze memorandum of the Department of Health (DOH), including the price tag, suggested retail price and other pertinent regulations on all goods and commodities are strictly implemented.
Mayor Sara ordered the closure and cancellation of business permits to any establishment caught with overpricing items and hoarding of supplies.
“All are hereby enjoined to read the DOH advisory pertinent to their organization: For workplace — DOLE Labor Advisory #4 Series 2020 and DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0056 For Hospitals — DOH Dept. Memo2020-0035 For Airports and seaports — DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0063 For residential communities — DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0059 For schools — DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0055 and DepEd Memo 15 s. 2020 For hotels and other similar establishments — DOH Dept. Memo 2020-0057.”
There was panic-buying of surgical masks In the past weeks after the announcement from DOH that there are a number of Person under Monitoring (PUM) and Person under Investigation (PUI) in the region.
The city council has also passed several resolutions concerning the sudden price hike of surgical masks following the spread of nCoV worldwide.(davaotoday.com)
