DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is extending the period of prohibiting mass gatherings and non-essential travels within Davao City, the liquor ban, curfew hours, and alternative work arrangements up to January 31, 2021.
The mayor released Executive Orders on Wednesday evening making true her pronouncement on Monday’s interview that all executive orders expiring on December 31, 2020, will be extended as the city’s COVID-19 cases remain high.
The Mayor issued EO No. 71 which extends the EO No. 55-B enforcing curfew hours and regulating other activities within the city and EO No. 59 imposing a 24-hour liquor ban.
Davao City Police Office has recorded 2,358 curfew violators arrested from October 15 to December 31, 2020, while 229 individuals were arrested for violating the liquor ban from November 2 to December 31, 2020.
The number includes the apprehension of 14 city hall employees of the City Engineer’s Office caught in a drinking session while on duty inside the motor pool compound in Barangay Ma-a even there was a liquor ban implemented in the city reinstated last November 2.
Mayor Duterte-Carpio said in her interview with DXQQ Disaster Radio that 14 employees will face charges for violating the executive order. Arrested employees with Job Order status will be immediately relieved from work while those in Plantilla position will be referred to the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) for proper action.
Authorities have also apprehended scores of violators secretly selling various alcoholic drinks despite the liquor ban amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Sara also released EO No. 70 which extends the effectiveness of EO No. 56 mandating alternative work arrangements to implement a skeleton workforce, work-from-home, and staggering working hours in both public and private offices and establishments.
In her order, the mayor said it is necessary to extend the EO No 56 “to continuously avoid a close contact scenario for all employees and to decongest passengers of public utility vehicles throughout the day” to lessen the risk of transmission.
The mayor also released on Wednesday EO No. 69 that extends EO 57 regulating mass gathering as well as prohibit non-essential travel within Davao City. (davaotoday.com)
