DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 15 Feb) – A total of 31 areas in Mindanao have been placed under Alert Level 2 beginning February 16 until the end of this month after the reported downtrend in the number of COVID-19 cases following the Omicron variant surge, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said.
But Zamboanga City, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental and South Cotabato will remain under Alert Level 3 as the surge persists.
Based on Nograles’ statement released on February 14, the areas that will be placed under Alert Level 2 are Isabela City in Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay in Zamboanga Peninsula; Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao; Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental in Davao Region.
Also under Alert Level 2 are General Santos City, North Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat in Soccsksargen; Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Butuan City and Dinagat Islands in CARAGA; and Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and Lanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
In Davao City, the epicenter of COVID-19 pandemic in Mindanao, there were only 39 new cases reported on February 16, bringing the total cases to 71,538, with 1,144 active, 68,505 recoveries, and 1,889 dead.
Mayor Sara Duterte said during her program streamed live on her Facebook page that the local government would gradually ease community restrictions as the city wants to restore more activities in an attempt to transition to the “new normal” where the Dabawenyos will continue to live despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duterte added that Executive Order 69, which bans non-essential face-to-face events, has been lifted effective February 15. The lifting allows barangays and local and national offices, including government-owned and controlled corporations, to organize face-to-face activities.
She reminded the public to continue wearing face masks, maintain physical distancing, and wash hands frequently.
She said the local government seeks to revitalize the tourism sector to fast-track the recovery of the local economy, including the conduct of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibits. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)