Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview on Monday, December 27, that adults should ensure their children, especially those who have not received anti-Covid-19 vaccines, abide by the health protocols in public and other gatherings.
“Ang reminders nato sa mga ginikanan with regard to the minimum public health standards, kung unsay mag-apply sa mga adults mao pud na mag-apply for children (Our reminders for the parents regarding the minimum public health standards, whatever applies to adults also applies to the children),” the mayor said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
While she said that infants are exempted from the mandatory wearing of face masks as they might have hard time breathing, she, however, emphasized that parents need to train their children on the wearing of face masks at home
“But for children, which is kani gyud ang mga bata bisan asa ni ilahang ng kamot, bisan asa mag suroy-suroy, very important sa ilaha nga maanad na magsuot og mask (The children, who often touch anything with their hands and loiter around, is very important for them to get used to wearing the face mask),” she said.
She also advised parents to train their children to wear their face masks at home and make them understand what Covid-19 pandemic is, including the risk of going to public places without wearing it.
The mayor added that this would serve as a practice for the children once schools resume face-to-face (F2F) classes in January 2022.
In Davao City, pilot schools that will reopen face-to-face instruction are Dalagdag National High School, G. Tajo National High School, Saloy National High School, Mabuhay Elementary School (now Victor Bernal Integrated School with Kindergarten) in Barangay Mabuhay, and Gumitan Elementary School.
“As per inspection report sa atoang DepEd [Department of Education] kay gitan-aw nila ang mga eskwelahan nga gi-recommend for F2F clases, duna lang silay comment on handwashing facilities, which is an integral part of minimum public health standards kay kinahanglan maghugas og kamot gamit ang sabon ug tubig (As per instruction report of DepEd as they checked the schools recommended for F2F classes, they commented on handwashing facilities which is an integral part of the minimum public health standards because there is a need to wash hands using soap and water),” she said.
The mayor said this was already being addressed by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) to make sure pilot schools will have handwashing facilities.
She said the City Government has already started its handwashing and brushing of teeth projects in the city’s public schools even before the pandemic.
“We allotted budget para sa tanang schools nga naa silay toothbrushing and handwashing facilities kay tungod sa atoang campaign of practicing good hygiene. Important man gud sa atoa kahibalo ang mga bata how to properly brush their teeth and they have to also understand proper handwashing techniques (We allotted a budget for all public schools that they have toothbrushing and handwashing facilities because of our campaign of practicing good hygiene. It’s important for us that children know how to properly brush their teeth and they have to also understand proper handwashing techniques),” Duterte-Carpio said.
As of writing, the Department of Health has allowed the vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17.
The Food and Drug Administration approved on December 23 emergency use authorization to the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech to be used on children aged five to 11. (RGL)
