Davao City – The Davao City government has reminded Dabawenyos of the mandatory wearing of face masks following an increase in the number of apprehensions of violators to 11,067 as of March 27.
Angel Sumagaysay, the Head of the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), said a total of 1,140 individuals were apprehended during the week from March 20 to 27 bringing the total apprehended individuals 11,067 since the city government imposed the mandatory wearing of face masks in May 2020.
“The security sector will continue intensifying its apprehensions for those who do not follow health protocols,” Sumagaysay said.
Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has been urging Dabawenyos to strictly follow health protocols, especially wearing masks, as it is the most basic weapon against Covid-19.
“Kanang mask, basic gyud na siya karong panahona sa Covid-19 kay tungod ang kagaw naa siya diha sa laway, ma inhale siya, posible matakdan ang isa ka tawo. Kinahanglan nga dili ta makatakod, dili pud ta matakdan so ang buhaton nato is tabunan nato ang atoang baba ug ilong,” the mayor said during her program over the city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).
She also reminded Dabawenyos to follow the other basic health protocols – physical distancing and frequent handwashing with soap and water.
Ordinance No. 0307-20 or the Face Mask Ordinance took effect on July 23, 2020, and was amended through Ordinance No. 0416-20 to strengthen the enforcement of the ordinance at the barangay level.
Section 3 of the ordinance states that all persons shall, at all times, wear face masks in public places during the Community Quarantine and/or until after the State of Public Health Emergency is lifted as part of the precautionary and safety measures adopted by the City Government against COVID-19 to control and prevent the transmission of such infectious disease.
The Davao City government also gives out face masks and face shields, especially those who cannot afford to buy them for daily use, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in the barangays.
The distribution sites have been established for the regular face mask and face shield posts so that people will know where to go if they don’t have the protective equipment. It is also one of the city government’s ways of strengthening the enforcement of the health measures, particularly the wearing of masks and face shields in all public places, for the safety of the Dabawenyos.
(City Information Office | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)