THE Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2020 is suspended anew to a still undetermined date due to the new confirmed coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the country but the Department of Education (DepEd)-Davao assured it will still push through as planned.
DepEd-Davao Assistant Director Maria Ines Asuncion, during the Davraa Meet 2020 press conference in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro Monday, March 9, said that since DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones issued a statement through the agency's Facebook page that regional meets will be suspended until further notice, Davraa Meet 2020 will continue albeit in another date.
This after President Rodrigo Duterte also declared Monday, March 9, a State of Public Health Emergency after a local Covid-2019 transmission was recorded.
The Davraa Meet was scheduled on April 1 to 7, 2020 before Briones issued the March 8 statement.
Asuncion said, "It's too early to preempt" should the Covid-19 situation in the country worsens.
Meanwhile, Davao de Oro Govenor Jayvee Tyron Uy and Vice Governor Maricar Zamora said the province is ready to host the annual regional meet.
Uy said they have laid out all the preparations from the water availability in athletes' billeting quarters to health offices that will cater health concerns of delegates.
"We have set our preparation to the optimum or utmost level to make sure that no child will get sick even with diarrhea just because of our water," Uy said.
Vice Governor Maria Carmen Zamora, for her part, said they have accredited vendors who will be peddling at billeting areas and venues to ensure proper food handling and preparation.
This year's Davraa has around P20.7 million budget from the Provincial Government and P5 million accumulated funds coming from the private stakeholders intended for the athletes' medals alone.
Zamora clarified though that the budget is not intended for the activities alone but also for the preparation and completion of the facilities.
This year's regional meet will give out gold medals with one gram of 18 karat gold to champions.
More than 7,000 delegates are expected to participate in the 11-delegation Davraa Meet.
The province is hosting the meet for the second time, however, it is the first time to do so with its new name, Davao de Oro.