DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio suspended classes on Wednesday, September 20, on all levels for private schools as Malacañang already suspended classes on all levels for public schools.
The two separate proclamations thus means there will be no classes on all levels in both public and private schools in Davao City on Thursday, September 21.
"Since the suspension of classes only covers the public schools, here in Davao City we will also declare the suspension of classes for the private schools also, para dili ma-abala ang mga bata sa mag-protesta (so the children won’t be hassled by the protests)," she said.
The suspension is regarding the Proclamation No. 319 issued by her father, President Rodrigo Duterte in declaring a National Day of Protest today, the anniversary of Martial Law under the dictator, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Her own decision suspending classes in private schools as well is issued as Proclamation No. 3 series of 2017.11
"Apil na tanan, maabala man sila tanan so just stay home sa inyong balay and prepare for your September 22 classes (All will be included since they will all be affected by the protests so just stay home and prepare for your September 22 classes)," she said, making it clear that even those in the tertiary levels are included in the suspension of classes.
Duterte-Carpio said rallyists have applied permits to march in major thoroughfares in the downtown area.
"Okay raman bisan asa pa sila mag-marcha, ang atoa lang man is that kanang makaabala sa mga musulod ug trabaho ug sa eskwelahan ug kanang muuli sa trabaho ug muuli sa eskwelahan nga ma-delay (They can march wherever they want. Our only consideration is that those who have work will not be inconvenienced by traffic)," she said.
She added the protesters can gather without permit at the Freedom Park located in Roxas Avenue since this has been identified as an area where people can freely converge for decades now.
Duterte-Carpio asked rallyists to assemble peacefully and also not to commit crimes.
"All the guidelines are stated in the Presidential proclamation. It was stated there to peacefully assemble and do not commit crimes and there is a maximum tolerance from the police (on the) allies," she said.
Duterte-Carpio said different groups are free to bring and air their concerns on the streets.
"It is a National Day of Protest according to the Presidential Proclamation so tanan are welcome not just one issue, tanan nga issue. All other groups na gusto magprotest sa dalan (So all are free to protest not just on one issue, they may protest many issues. All other groups who want to protest). It’s purge time tomorrow," she added.
Jay Apiag, Spokesperson of Karapatan told SunStar Thursday that thousands of rallyists have already committed to participate in the National Day of Protest.
Meanwhile, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, in Memorandum Circular (MC) 26, that only the executive branch of local government units in the country is covered by the no-work mandate for today's National Day of Protest.
"The other branches of government agencies where the executive branch has no jurisdiction is not covered by the work suspension," the Palace said.
However, those employees covered by the MC but still have to attend to work shall be compensated through compensatory time-off for working hours rendered based on the rules and regulations under Civil Service Commission.
Meanwhile, the suspension of work in the private sector shall be decided by the companies' management.
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday that the proclamation for today's protest day is to solidify the people's grievances against the government through rallies and demonstrations in a peaceful manner and within the bounds of law.
“This administration recognizes the fear and indignation of the people against a repetition and perpetuation of such human rights violations and all other failings of the government,” he added.
Duterte already had instructed the Philippine National Police on Monday to observe maximum restraint and allow the freedom of the protesters to exercise their constitutional rights. (With BSC)