Davao City – Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte ordered that all government vehicles have to have open windows, whether in fraction or halfway, while in transit in Davao City to help reduce the risk of the COVID-19 transmission.
Duterte, in her Executive Order (E.O.) No. 25, Series of 2021, said, “There is a need to expand the implementation of adequate air ventilation beyond PUVs as a strategic measure to control the transmission of the virus.” She said this was important considering the surge of cases in the National Capital Region and other areas in the country as well as the emergence of new COVID-19 variants.
It can be recalled that the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force Resolution No. 3, Series of 2020, and Department of Transportation-Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board (DOTr-LTFRB) Office Circular No. 2020-59 “provides for adequate air ventilation or airflow in all public utility vehicles (PUVs) operating within Davao City”.
E.O. 25, known as “An Order Requiring All National And Local Government Vehicles Including Those Who Come In From Other Regions To Open Their Windows, A Fraction, Or Halfway Whichever Is Convenient While In Transit,” cited Department of Health (DOH) Memorandum No. 2020-0429, which states that enclosed places must observe proper ventilation and opening of windows and doors must also be put into practice to facilitate the flow of outdoor air into an enclosed space.
The order also cited experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who published a research paper suggesting that keeping car windows open, however small the opening, can minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
E.O. 25, which Duterte signed on May 4, mandates that all existing laws and ordinances shall be pursued against those who fail to follow the provisions. It is also effective immediately.
Meanwhile, Davao City Health Office Acting Head and COVID-19 focal person Dr. Ashley Lopez said he met with City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) chief Dionisio Abude about the ventilation in vehicles.
Lopez, during the COVID-19 Alert program of the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on May 5, also said, “Naa tay memo coming from LTFRB bahig aning pagpatuman sa ventilation. Kung naka aircon ang bus, taxi or van, kinahanglan jud iopen ang windows. Importante naa jud hangin nga mu-flow.”
Observing proper ventilation in vehicles, according to him, is still part of the minimum public health standards that the public should comply with, aside from frequent handwashing with soap and water, wearing of face mask and face shield, and social distancing.
“Proper ventilation is for the protection of both passengers and drivers. Kinahanglan jud partially abrihan ang mga bintana (It’s really important to partially open the windows),” he added.
He also said high cases of COVID-19 transmission have been recorded in such enclosed and airconditioned spaces as offices and banks, among others. CIO, Michael Manguhig, OIC RPN Dxkt Davao
Access the link of E.O. 25 here:
https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/tra…/executive-orders/2021-2/.
(City Information Office | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)