Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has appealed to the Dabawenyos to refrain from spreading fake and unverified information related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) on any social media platforms as these cause panic and chaos among the people.

“Ayaw mo pag-spread ug misinformation sa mga tao because it will stir panic ba sa mga tao and resentment, kasuko sa ilang mga kaila (Stop spreading misinformation to the people because it will stir panic and resentment to those they know),” Mayor Sara said.

She added that people who are idly staying at home become so invested with what’s being posted on Facebook.

“Wala ta’y ginabuhat ba, naa na sa sulod sa balay, anything na mugawas sa Facebook o kung asa mana manggawas ang information nga makuha sa mga tao, mao na’y nahimong kalibutan nato (Since we are not doing anything at home, whatever we see on Facebook or on any platform these become our world),” she said.

Facebook is the one infected with Covid-19 because of the many false information, she jested.

She advised the public to report the posts containing unverified content on Covid-19 so that Facebook can immediately take it down.

Mayor Sara said people should use all verified information and statements on Covid-19 cases in the city that are posted on the Facebook page of the City Government of Davao, Byaheng Do30, and the Davao City Disaster Radio.

She also reminded the people that instead of focusing on the number of positive cases of Covid-19, people must focus more on how to contain the spread of the disease by closely following the preventive measures such as staying at home, social distancing, regular washing of hands with soap and water, staying away from people who have travel history from areas positive with Covid-19, and to call the Covid-19 Operation Center if they experience flu-like symptoms and diarrhea. CIO