The City Government has cancelled the participation of Puerto Princesa athletes to the MIMAROPA Regional Athletic Association (MIMAROPARAA) Meet set on March 8, 2020.
Mayor Lucilo Bayron told the media at the City Hall Friday to ensure the health and safety of Puerto Princesans as a whole during these times when the threat of 2019 Novel Corona Virus (2019 nCoV) still exists.
Bayron said the decision was recommended by Dr. Ricardo Panganiban, the City Health Officer (CHO).
“Ang rekomendasyon ng City Health Officer huwag na muna tayong mag-participate. Proteksyunan ‘yong lahat ng mamamayan ng Puerto Princesa. Hindi lang ‘yon sa atin, sila ‘yong unang matatamaan, ay kung dala nila, parang pinapasok natin sa pinto natin, mas mahirap ‘yon,” said Bayron.
In a letter dated February 6 from the Office of the City Mayor to Dr. Servillano Arzaga, the schools division superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Puerto Princesa, City Administrator Atty. Arnel Pedrosa by the authority of the mayor stated that public biddings for the procurement of goods and services for this purpose was also cancelled.
Bayron also said Friday that it will just be very risky for the athletes to join this annual sports activity, thus upon receiving the recommendation of CHO they immediately ordered its cancellation.
“Kasi tingnan mo ha, mayroon tayong delegation aalis dito magba-barko papuntang Manila. Manila ibababa sa pantalan sino ang mga kahalubilong tao doon, sasakay ng bus papuntang Batangas. Batangas may mga tao na naman sa pantalan, sasakay doon ng barko na naman tapos sama-sama naka-quarter galing sa iba’t ibang lugar,” said Bayron.
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