IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Gov. Wilter Palma has canceled all the activities lined up for the 19th Founding Anniversary as a preemptive measure against the possible entry here of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Palma issued the order Wednesday following the recommendation of the provincial health board, provincial disaster risk reduction management council, and executive committee of the provincial development council when they met in a two-hour emergency meeting.
Palma said the cancelation is based on the declaration of the World Health Organization (WHO) that the 2019-nCoV as a public health emergency of international concern.
As early as November 2019, the provincial government lined up series of activities for the eight-day Araw ng Zamboanga Sibugay from February 17 to 24, including a basketball tournament, music festivals, agro-fishery trade fair, drum and lyre competition, and music festival.
He said the decision to cancel the activities is a preemptive action since “we are all after the safety of our Sibugaynons as well as our visitors.”
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on January 31 has advised all local government units to create a coronavirus task force to help contain the spread of the disease in the country.
“Our proactive actions are in accordance with the directive of Local Government Sec. Eduardo Año to adopt precautionary measures against the 2019-nCOV,” Palma said.
Dr. Sherwin Bastero, Zamboanga Sibugay Hospital chief, said there is no "person under investigation" in the province, clarifying that what they are doing is a preemptive measure.
The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the death on February 1 of a 44-year-old man who traveled with a 38-year-old female companion, who also tested positive, from Wuhan, China.
Meanwhile, the DOH confirmed Wednesday the third case of the 2019-nCoV in the country.
The DOH said the patient is a 60-year-old female who arrived in the Philippines on January 22 from Wuhan, China via Hong Kong. (PNA)
