Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Thursday hailed Davao City as a “model” for other local governments in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response.

In a statement, he praised Davao City Sara Duterte for her “proactive approaches” in preventing the spread of Covid-19 in Davao City and mitigating the impacts of the pandemic to Dabawenyos.

“Mayor Sara Duterte’s effective government interventions have aided Dabawenyos in their daily struggles as they found themselves confined in their homes and lacking a stable source of income and resources, following the strict implementation of community quarantines,” he said.

Andanar said Davao City’s four types of food relief programs: food ration, agri-food, hot meals-on-wheels, and the rice distribution program, provided basic necessities and sustenance for the majority of Dabawenyos which encouraged them to stay indoors.

He said Davao City also successfully implemented the national government’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD Program to assist Dabawenyos in their livelihood.

This was further augmented by undertaking the “Work for Davao”, “Eskwela Davao”, and other educational assistance programs, he added.

He pointed out that Davao City also immediately implemented the use coded passes, such as for food and medicine, to limit movement and further control the spread of the virus.

Andanar also said Dabawenyos showed “great discipline” throughout the community quarantine in following protocols and observing health standards.

On April 4, Davao City was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) but eventually relaxed to a less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ).

Davao City is currently under modified GCQ (MGCQ) – the most relaxed quarantine phase—until July 15.

As of July 8, Department of Health-Davao reported 648 Covid-19 cases in the region, with 33 deaths and 406 recoveries.

Of the total confirmed Covid-19 cases, only 484 were in Davao City. (PNA)