FOR the first time, the 19th Davao City Council used video conferencing in its regular session on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 amid the strict social distancing imposed by the government due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Majority floor leader J. Melchor Quitain said the proposal to utilize video conferencing during sessions was proposed by Councilor Diosdado Mahipus during their session on Friday, March 20.
The Senate and the House of Representatives also used video conferencing on Monday, March 23, to tackle proposed measure that will give President Rodrigo Duterte special powers to address the national health crisis brought by Covid-19.
Quitain said the Council made the dry run with Councilors Pilar Braga and Bonifacio Militar, and with Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte participating in the regular session via video conferencing.
He said Braga and Militar joined the session online after they were mandated to be under home quarantine for their safety since both are seniors and are vulnerable to the dreadful virus.
As for Duterte, Quitain said the vice mayor is still recovering from his flu after he was classified as a person under monitoring (PUM).
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio earlier announced that her brother, the vice mayor, is recovering and is awaiting his doctor’s clearance for him to physically attend the sessions of the Council.
Quitain said the dry run was “OK”, although he said the video conferencing experienced delays due to slow internet connection, which he said is being resolved.
“I’m sure Mayor Sara is on top of the issue, considering we are exploring the possibility of conducting teleconferencing (video conferencing). It’s possible as long as we have good internet signal,” he told Sunstar Davao in a phone interview after the regular session.
He also cited that not all areas in the city have a clear signal, which could disrupt their performance and involvement in the debates and discussion.
He added that councilors who wish to participate in the video conferencing must have valid reasons and must also inform the Council ahead of time.
Meanwhile, he said the vice mayor is continuously monitoring the activities of the Council and the urgent measures that are needed to be passed. (RGL)