DAVAO CITY—Region XI, also called Davao Region is under extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until April 26. Under the region are Davao City, the provinces and their component cities of Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley Province), and the newly-constituted Davao Occidental.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, head of the Davao Region Inter-Agency Task Force (DRIATF) on Covid-19 announced Wednesday night that the entire region would be under extended ECQ until the evening of April 26.
The original ECQ lifting was set to end on Sunday, April 19, but was further prolonged by the DRIACTF following the reported 11 new Covid-19 cases in the region. Most of the new victims were from Davao City.
Her opening statement during the media briefing says, “Unfortunately, I am a bearer of bad news. Tonight the RIACTF, attended by all governors and based on the presentation and explanation of the Department of Health, we need to extend ECQ in Davao Region.”
She said the extended period means “one and half incubation period” and the second round of food ration will start on Monday, April 20.
On the other hand, as a way to recognize the notable sacrifices of those who perished and fought against Covid-19 pandemic, the City Mayor also issued Executive Order 25, series of 2020 putting the city into a “Period of Mourning and Vigilance” from April 17 to December 31, 2020.
Under the said Executive Order, all city and national government celebrations, parties, anniversaries, and festivities shall be cancelled. However, commemoration of dates and legal holidays will be kept short and barangays are enjoined to refrain from extravagant celebration of their fiestas, and all founding anniversaries and Araw ng Barangay celebrations shall be cancelled.
The said order of the mayor also encouraged the private sector to follow suit. Private parties should be low key with no more than 25 guests (in one occasion) and their big celebrations are advised to be postponed until 2021.
Private sector is also advised to consider food distribution, feeding program, or financial assistance to families of their employees.
It also states that the City Government shall file appropriate actions in cases of thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure of display.