Dev’t fund to be used to soften impact of virus

MAYOR Sara Duterte yesterday said the city government will instead use the development fund to cushion the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the private sector.

In an interview with 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio, Duterte said she instead of spending the development fund on infrastructure and non infrastructure projects, it will be used to help the private sector.

“I’m willing to have no projects for the next two years,” she said, adding that she has requested Councilors Danilo Dayanghirang and councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr. to sit with the local finance committee of the city government on the steps to mitigate the impact of the virus on the business sector.

She said that the city council has to come up with an economic plan for the

business owners in the city. “I am willing to not establish any projects so that our budget can cover the basic services needed to help these business people,” she said.

The mayor has placed the city under the community quarantine protocol as entry of vehicles coming from the northern side of the city has been regulated since Sunday night following the report that a 21-woman from Pantukan, Davao de Oro became of the first COVID-19 positive in Davao Region.

The order came about after President Rodrigo R. Duterte, her father, placed the entire country under the state of public health emergency.