Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has reminded parents anew to ensure that their children, especially those who have not received anti-COVID-19 vaccines, also adhere to the minimum public health standards in public or crowded places and other gatherings.
Mayor Sara said, “Ang reminders nato sa mga ginikanan with regard to the minimum public health standards, kung unsay mag-apply sa mga adults mao pud na mag-apply for children (Our reminders for the parents regarding the minimum public health standards, whatever applies to adults also applies to the children).”
She stated this during the Special Hours program of the 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) after the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force observed that many children were not wearing their face masks properly in crowded places over the weekend.
Mayor Duterte, however, said infants are exempted from the mandatory wearing of face masks as they might suffocate.
“But for children, which is kani gyud ang mga bata bisan asa ni ilahang ng kamot, bisan asa mag suroy-suroy, very important sa ilaha nga maanad na magsuot og mask (The children, who often touch anything with their hands and loiter around, is very important for them to get used to wearing the face mask),” she said.
She also advised parents to train their children on the wearing of face masks at home and why they have to do so.
The city’ chief executive continued, “Diha sa balay, ipraktis daan ang bata and make them understand unsa ang pandemic, unsa ang COVID-19 so that paggawas nila sa public places, ang bata anad na sya nga magsuot og mask (In your homes, train your children and make them understand what is pandemic, what is COVID-19 so that when they go to public places, they are already accustomed to wearing masks).”
This, according to her, also serves as a practice for the children once schools resumes the face-to-face classes in the future.
The resumption of the face-to-face classes will be prepared by the Department of Education (DepEd) on top of basic education and the Commission on Higher Education.
In Davao City, pilot schools that will reopen face-to-face instruction are Dalagdag National High School, G. Tajo National High School, Saloy National High School, Mabuhay Elementary School (now Victor Bernal Integrated School with Kindergarten) in Barangay Mabuhay, and Gumitan Elementary School.
She said that children participating in these face-to-face classes in January must be reminded to observe MPHS.
Mayor Duterte added, “As per inspection report sa atoang DEPED kay gitan-aw nila ang mga eskwelahan nga gi-recommend for F2F clases, duna lang silay comment on handwashing facilities, which is an integral part of minimum public health standards kay kinahanglan maghugas og kamot gamit ang sabon ug tubig. That particular item ato nang gi-refer sa City Engineer’s Office (CEO) to make sure pilot schools will have handwashing facilities (As per instruction report of DEPED as they checked the schools recommended for F2F classes, they commented on handwashing facilities which is an integral part of the minimum public health standards because there is a need to wash hands using soap and water. This item has been referred to the City Engineer’s Office to make sure pilot schools will have handwashing facilities).”
She said that the City Government of Davao has already started its handwashing and brushing of teeth projects in the city’s public schools even before the pandemic.
“We alloted budget para sa tanang schools nga naa silay toothbrushing and handwashing facilities kay tungod sa atoang campaign of practicing good hygiene. Important man gud sa atoa kahibalo ang mga bata how to properly brush their teeth and they have to also understand proper handwashing techniques (We allotted budget for all public schools that they have toothbrushing and handwashing facilities because of our campaign of practicing good hygiene. It’s important for us that children know how to properly brush their teeth and they have to also understand proper handwashing techniques),” Mayor Duterte said.CIO
