Caloocan, Valenzuela cancel events over COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — The city governments of Caloocan and Valenzuela have cancelled their scheduled events this week amid the rising cases of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in Metro Manila.

Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan posted on social media the postponement of the Miss Caloocan Pageant, Mega Job Fairs, City Development Council General Assembly, Outstanding Citizens Awards Night and Family Day activities.

Malapitan said the cancellation is meant to prevent the spread of the virus as the events are expected to draw large crowd.

Meanwhile, among the events cancelled by the city government of Valenzuela are the Top Taxpayers and Top Job Providers’ Night and Concert, Mega Job Fair and the weekend Family Day activities in public schools.

In a post on Twitter, Mayor Rex Gatchalian urged his constituents not to panic. He has been urged to cancel classes.

Gatchalian assured residents that the city government and school administrators are on top of the situation.

Although classes in the city were not suspended, public schools have been disinfected as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

Last month, the city cancelled its anniversary celebration.

President Duterte yesterday signed a proclamation declaring a state of public health emergency in the country.

The declaration authorized all agencies and local government units to implement measures to prevent the spread of the virus.