NABUNTURAN, Davao de Oro -- Laak Mayor Antonio Libuangan and 10 other employees of the local government unit in the town contracted the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Laak Information Officer Jeremy John Madroñal revealed during the State of the Province radio program over Z Radio 88.5 that Mayor Libuangan is asymptomatic, while some of the confirmed Covid-19 employees already manifested symptoms of the disease.
Madroñal also bared that their health authorities are still verifying the source of the virus, to whom the local chief executive got infected.
The 10 employees of the Sangguniang Bayan got the virus from a confirmed Covid-19 patient, who is an employee of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
He said the DPWH employee was one of the guests during the committee hearing for the road projects, including the right of way, last October 19, 2020.
All of the legislative staff are now undergoing quarantine in the municipal isolation unit, while Libuangan is being isolated in his own house.
These recent developments prompted the mayor to issue a memorandum order suspending the work in the offices of the municipal hall, and advising all the employees to undergo self-quarantine effective November 16.
The memo states that this measure gives way for the conduct of intensive contact tracing and disinfection of the entire municipal building and offices.
Madroñal said there is still no definite date as to when the offices will be opened again for physical transactions, but he said that as of Tuesday, November 17, they can contact the Laak Facebook page to transact official business to any municipal office.
In his message posted on social media, Libuangan called all those people who have been in close contact with him to undergo self-quarantine, and report to their respective health workers.
The chief executive assured the people that the concerned agencies are on top of the situation and that they will follow the protocol.
"Dili kita mabalaka tungod kay ginabuhat na sa mga concerned agencies ang angay nga pagabuhaton kanamo nga mga nag positibo ug andam kami nga musunod sa proseso (We do not need to worry because the concerned agencies are doing the necessary actions for us who are positive (with Covid-19), and that we are ready to follow the process)," he said.
Libuangan encouraged the Laakenyos to observe the minimum health standards, and unite in praying for the confirmed patients.
"Magtinabangay kita ug magkahiusa mga Laakenyos sa pag-ampo sa atong mga kaubanan sa lungsod nga nag positibo niini nga sakit(Let us help each other and unite, Laakenyos, in praying for our brethren, who are positive of the disease)," he said. (PIA-Davao)