THE alarming rise of patients infected with coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the country resulted to cancellation of events to prevent the risk of transmission of the highly-infectious disease that has already claimed thousands of lives worldwide.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 9, the Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) has decided to postpone all their graduation, recognition, and moving-up ceremonies as precautionary measure. This came after a consultation with their stakeholders.
It is also in accordance with Davao City Government Guidelines No. 4 which mandates “the postponement of recognition and graduation activities until the public emergency is lifted or withdrawn.”
“Each unit, from Grade School to the College of Law, will announce its new schedules of commencement exercises after the public health emergency is over. The University looks forward to celebrating its students’ achievements soon,” the statement read.
It added, “The University understands the disappointment this may cause and we deeply regret the inconvenience. The safety and well-being of all students, families, teachers, and staff are paramount.”
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Davao likewise canceled the conduct of the 2020 First Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on March 12 “to ensure public health safety of the drill participants and to prevent the possible risk of contracting Covid-19.”
OCD-Davao likewise advised the chairpersons and members of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils at the National, Regional, Provincial, City, Municipal Levels and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees, Heads of National Government Agencies, Constitutional Offices, State Universities and Colleges, Government Owned and/or Controlled Corporations, and Private Stakeholders to undertake maximum and continuous precautionary measures prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH).
The health department has discouraged mass gathering and attending crowded places to avoid getting infected by the coronavirus.
Earlier, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio canceled major events in the city in line with the celebration of 83rd Araw ng Dabaw, heeding the call of DOH to ensure the safety of the public amid the health crisis.
Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon announced Tuesday, March 10, an indefinite postponement of all city-organized events. He also recalled the special mayor’s permit that they released, allowing the use of their facilities for privately-organized events. Events in the barangays are also postponed.
“This decision reached on the premise that the safety of the Tagumenyos sit on top of the LGU’s priority. The call of the President for the LGUs to undertake critical, urgent and appropriate response warrants the cancellation of events that would entail mass gathering to prevent the spread of the disease,” Rellon said.
Island Garden City of Samal through Executive Order (EO) No. 195 Series of 2020 ordered the suspension of classes in elementary, high school, and senior high school Levels in Samal starting March 16, 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“All mass gathering activities such as but not limited to moving -up ceremonies, recognition, awarding, commencement exercises, JS Prom, retreats, intramurals, and field trips are prohibited,” the EO read.
Igacos teachers and the Department of Education (Deped) personnel are urged to end all school activities before March 16.