DAVAO CITY — The municipal government of Talaingod town in Davao del Norte provided food and temporary shelter for the 21 stranded persons affected by the regional lockdown at the borders of Davao del Norte (Region XI) and Bukidnon (Region 10) on April l 3, but they were turned over to their respective local government units for the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Talaingod is the boundary of the two provinces and some individuals are trying to enter the province but Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib has established a checkpoint on March 19 when the Davao region decided to set a regional lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus (VOVID-19) pandemic at the entry in Sitio Natulian, in said municipality.
Talaingod Mayor Jonnie Libayao told Newsline “We offered them food and a room at the nearby government school to rest and feel comfortable while we were tracing their point of origin, but after everything was traced, we contacted the local government units of Davao del Norte where they reside and turned over them upon the instruction of Governor Edwin Jubahib.”
Susan Saylo, the town’s municipal health officer said the individuals come from Sibugay, Zamboanga; Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon but are residents of Davao del Norte who attended the burial of their relative and was caught in the lockdown.
Representatives from the regional inter-agency task force are also present in the area to ensure that pork products and swine cannot enter the province as it is also fighting against the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Region XI is now under an enhanced community lockdown, but LGUs are advised to.
“Maayo man among kahimtang inubanan pod sa AFP, PNP ug kami sab nga taga-Local MHO, MAGRO ug DSWD. Among ginabuhat proseso, pero usahay di lalim ang mga tawo pasabton kay bisan nakasabot gusto man gyod nila nga ang ilang gusto maoy matuman kay gusto lagi mouli sa ilang pamilya. Pero nagsunod mi sa Order o patakaran nga dili sa gyud kay nag-lockdown ta dire sa Region XI,” as Saylo further explained that there are indeed those who need instruction repeatedly elaborated to be understood.
Sitio Natulihan is in the outskirts, however, community members are still properly warned to follow the protocols such as social distancing and to take heed of government calls for community quarantine.
“Among gina-estoryahan nga dili sa magtapok, ang uban nagpuyo sa ilang mga balay. Pero dili gyod kalikayan ang uban mohangyo gyod sa amoa nga naa sila’y paliton. Ang among arrangement, kung naa sila’y ibaligya diha lang, pero dili gyod sila kagawas, magdawatay na lang sila,” Ms Saylo elaborates considering the close distance between Rehiyon X and XI.
Meantime, the above-mentioned PUMs have already been turned over through the office of the Provincial Governor Edwin I. Julahid of DavNor IATF on COVID-19.