Davao Region to be put under 14-day lockdown

STARTING 12:01 am, March 19, 2020, Davao Region is under lockdown for 14 days.   

This was revealed by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, chair of the Regional Task Force COVID 2019 after the Regional Peace and Order Council in Davao Region accepted her proposal for all local government units in Davao Region to unify their advisory and help systems to avoid chaos and confusion by the people.

The RPOC earlier approved her official designation as the chair of the Regional Task Force COVID 2019.

Interviewed by the Davao City Disaster Radio, she said all local government units in Davao Region must now have the same Corona Virus Disease 2019 advisories like asking residents to stay home except when reporting for work, buying food and medicines and going to the hospital. 

“The officials and members of the RPOC XI agreed to my proposal,” she said.

Duterte-Carpio said that with the regional lock-down, the partial lock-down in Davao City declared earlier through the Task Force Davao Checkpoint in Sitio Licanan, Barangay Lasang, Davao City which shares a border with Davao del Norte is lifted.

However, she requires everyone to exercise social distance by at least one meter apart and to wear face mask when boarding public transport.

Duterte-Carpio stressed social distance must be exercised in public transportation, at work and at home.

She said in public transportation, drivers just need to drive their vehicle and nothing more.

“They must not think that they have to sacrifice much since they will be enrolled with the TUPAD cash for work program which will give them P11,880 for a month duration to make up for their losses, “ Duterte-Carpio said.

She said social distance must also be practiced in the place of work where there must a regular sanitation schedule.

Duterte-Carpio also required for rubber cover for computer keyboards.

“The place of work must be cleaned like computer keyboards having covers to ensure that the business operation will continue,” she said.

Duterte-Carpio also ordered a liquor ban starting March 19  from 5:00 in the afternoon to 8:00 o’clock in the morning the next day until the Public Health Emergency Declaration is lifted.

She said release of bonuses may not happen in Davao City since the practice on bonuses is good only for regular employees.

Duterte-Carpio said the presence of the majority of job orders and contractual employees has prompt the local government to allow work to ensure that they have income. 

“You stay home while we protect our workers.  We cannot afford to lose them as some may resort to drugs and other crimes just to earn,” she said.  (By Joey Dalumpines)