Davao City: Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has appealed to the private sector employers to help workers as a way to augment the city government’s aid response to the affected sector in this Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Mayor Sara’s appeal referred to businesses whose operations are currently suspended but could help in aiding workers such as food provisions so that the government’s food assistance reaches more Dabawenyos.
“Naghangyo ta sa mga employers if you can take care of the food provisions sa atoang mga workers until April 30…bahala wa’y kwarta, paniguraduhon lang nato nga wa’y magutom diri sa atoang mga affected workers (We appeal to the employers if they can take care of our workers until April 30. Even without money we just need ensure that our affected workers have something to eat),” she appealed.
Mayor Sara also asked the private businesses exempted from the closure to provide a free ride for their workers so they could travel in their workplaces without a problem because if the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) will be implemented, public transport will be suspended.
The employers can also commission the Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) and hire drivers affected by the quarantine-related suspension, she added.
“It is encouraged for them to commission PUJs and hire drivers left out of work because of Covid-19. It would be an act of goodwill that would be deeply appreciated,” she said.
Mayor Sara believes that Dabawenyos can overcome the crisis no matter how tough with the cooperation and support to each other.
“The fight against Covid-19 is tough but we will overcome this health crisis just like the way we did with the past challenges that came our way. Truly, there is nothing insurmountable for us. We only need to cooperate and help each other,” Mayor Sara said. CIO