Davao de Oro Province: The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy duly approved a Proposed Resolution “a resolution declaring a ‘State of Calamity’ in the province of Davao de Oro (DDO) due to public health emergency caused by the Corona Virus Disease (COVID 19) and its local effects within its area of responsibility and endorsing the same to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for appropriate action.”
The resolution was approved during the conduct of an emergency meeting with all the members of the Council gathered at the Comval Capitol Multi-Purpose Canteen, Capitol Complex, Cabidianan, Nabunturan on March 11, 2020.
The declaration of the Provincial State of Calamity is for the release of the Quick Response Fund (QRF) to be used for the operation of the province in combating COVID 19 by purchasing four (4) new ambulances, thermal scanners, surgical masks, disinfectants, hand sanitizers, alcohols and other materials needed for the public to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The resolution states to uphold the people’s constitutional rights to life and property by addressing the root cause of vulnerabilities to disasters and strengthen the country’s institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and management and building the resilience of local communities to disasters including climate change impacts.
By the Presidential Proclamation No. 922 declares a State of Public Health Emergency that would capacitate government agencies and LGUs to immediately act to prevent loss of life. Utilize appropriate resources to implement urgent and critical measures to contain or prevent the spread of COVID 19. Mitigate its effects and impacts to the community, and prevent serious disruption of the functioning of the government and the community.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Antonio Ybiernas Jr. reported that as of today (March 13), the province of DDO has six (6) Persons under Investigation (PUI) and fourteen (14) Persons under Monitoring (PUM) due to the COVID-19 and four (4) PUI has been discharged and tested negative.
He added that pursuant to National DRRMC Memorandum Order no. 60 series of 2019 dated June 17, 2019. Revised Guidelines for the declaration of the State of Calamity states that “when there is an extremely high incidence of a certain disease whether communicable or non-communicable within a community, in a specific period of time, specific health-related behavior or other health related events clearly beyond normal expectancy, a city, municipality, province, or region may declare under a State of Calamity. (Rey Antibo, ID Davao de Oro)