ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar announced that the various activities lined up for the 83rd Charter Day anniversary, dubbed as “Dia de Zamboanga”, will push through despite the threat of the contagious 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Salazar said she finds no reasons to suspend the various activities of the celebration since this city is free from the respiratory disease caused by the virus.

Salazar’s statement came after the nearby provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan announced the cancellation of the activities during the “Araw ng Sibugay” and “Pakarajaan” festival, respectively.

The Araw ng Sibugay is scheduled on February 24 while the Pakarajaan festival will be on March 7.

Salazar said she is constantly coordinating with the different concerned agencies and “so far, the city is very safe.”

The mayor said residents, who traveled to China, are all in good health based on monitoring by DOH (Department of Health) and CHO (City Health Office).

Thousands of residents and visitors are set to attend the various activities lined up for the “Dia de Zamboanga” celebration. (SunStar Zamboanga)