Digos City Mayor Josef Cagas. (PNA file photo by Eldie Aguirre)
DIGOS CITY – The Digos City Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Covid-19 and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) have approved the amount of PHP3 million for the purchase of rice for the most vulnerable families affected by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) community quarantine.
Mayor Josef Cagas, who heads the IATF and the CDRRMC, on Sunday said City Social Welfare Development Office will be tasked with distributing five kilos of rice to poor families during the duration of the quarantine.
Cagas said at least 2,400 bags of NFA rice will be procured for beneficiaries who will be identified through the barangay officials and members of the barangay health emergency response team (BHERT).
The local chief executive also asked village officials to set aside political differences and distribute the assistance in an "unbiased manner" to prevent any misunderstanding that could lead to "chaos."
“This is the time that we must work together for the welfare of our fellow Digoseños. Give those who are in dire need first without looking at their political inclinations,” Cagas told village officials in an emergency meeting Sunday.
Meanwhile, Cagas has issued an executive order that temporarily prohibits the selling, serving of liquors, alcoholic beverages, and other intoxicating substances starting Monday (March 23).
Executive Order No. 22 bars establishments from selling or serving alcoholic drinks from 5 p.m. up to 8 a.m. on the next day.
Cagas pointed out that alcohol consumption encourages close contact among people that may only defeat the purpose of the community quarantine.
Local authorities in Davao del Sur currently impose the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew hours following the quarantine declaration late last week.
At present, Davao del Sur has no confirmed Covid-19 case. (PNA)
