By Armando Fenequito Jr. DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has issued an order, declaring a period of mourning and vigilance, as all city and national government celebrations have been cancelled from April 17 to December 31. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) This was embodied in Executive Order No. 23, which Duterte released on Friday morning. With this, Duterte said all commemoration of important dates and legal holidays should be kept short. The mayor said all barangays should refrain from extravagant celebration of their fiesta and founding anniversaries or Araw ng Barangay celebrations. She said private parties should be low-key with no more than 25 guests, and big celebrations are advised to be postponed until 2021. Duterte said being vigilant was an essential step to protect families and communities from the deadly viral infection, as well as recognizing the sacrifices of the fronliners. "There is a need to impress upon everyone the value of empathy for those who are suffering and will continue suffer the after effects of the pandemic," she said in the order. She said the city government shall file actions in cases of thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display. The mayor said there was a need for constant obedience of the rules and measures set and implemented to contain the spread of the deadly virus. Duterte also said private sector should consider food distribution, feeding program, or financial assistance to their employees. This because extreme want and hunger was expected in the comlng months, especially among the low income and poor families.