Duterte to stay longer in Davao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte may have to stay longer in his hometown as he is expected to hold another meeting with his Cabinet and the members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases here tomorrow.

After the meeting, he is expected to address the nation and announce some developments as well as related policies on how the government is addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Presidential Security Group (PSG) is making sure President Duterte does not get infected while staying in the city, implementing stringent protocols to prevent anyone from getting near him unless they have tested negative for the virus through RT-PCR swab tests.

When visitors are allowed to see him, the PSG makes sure that a distance of six meters is observed.

Duterte’s public engagements and exposures have been very limited to minimize the chances of him contracting COVID-19.

Presidential son and first district Rep. Paolo Duterte and his brother, Davao City vice mayor Sebastian Duterte, recently visited their father at his house after not seeing him for a long time.

The President arrived here last Aug. 3, on the eve of the imposition of a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status in the National Capital Region and neighboring provinces.

Duterte has not left Davao City since then.