Mayor Inday Sara Duterte announced on Monday morning the cancelation of all events lined up for the 83rd Araw ng Davao celebrations because of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus concerns.
In a press conference, Mayor Inday said that the guideline issued by the Department of Health (DOH), urging people to avoid convergence, is one of the main reasons behind her decision to forego major activities lined up for this year’s Charter Day celebrations.
“We have been following the pronouncements of the DOH and it has released last February 7 the advisory on public gatherings, thus it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to cancel the following events of the 83rd Araw ng Davao celebration: 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,” she said.
The only event left for the Araw ng Dabaw is the mass scheduled on March 1.
Mayor Inday said that all preparations for this year’s Araw ng Davao will be executed next year.
She said she cannot sacrifice the health of residents and visitors alike.
“We have seen an increasing number of people getting the infection worldwide. Our health care facilities in Davao City have limitations and we cannot possibly carry hundreds of sick individuals all at the same time,” she said.
“Because of these limitations, our plan for us Dabawenyos is to ensure that we do not get the infection.— It is important to keep your immune system strong. Avoid extremely crowded places and other activities that propagate the spread of the virus,” the mayor added.
Despite the cancelation of the events, all public holidays scheduled for 83rd Araw ng Davao will push through. CIO
