DAVAO CITY - Carolers in the city will not be able to belt out Christmas songs this year as the local chief executive announced that caroling activities will not be allowed in this time of the pandemic.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Monday said community singing might transmit infection to one another.
“Definitely dili because singing is one of the human activities nga mas worse pa sa talking (Definitely not because singing is one of the human activities that are worse than talking),” she said during an interview with the Davao City Disaster Radio.
The mayor explained that it was the same reason why churches were allowed only one singer during masses.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is also monitoring the areas for mendicants and carolers.
In a statement, CSWDO Head Marlissa Gallo reminded the public to refrain from giving alms to mendicants and to report the presence of carolers in their areas.
“Bawal gyud na. Everyday naa tay operations sa street dwellers, apil na diha ang caroling and begging (It is really not allowed. Every day we have operations against the street-dwellers, including those who are caroling and begging),” she said.
Gallo added that caroling was not an essential movement covered by the city's protocol. She said the public may report carolers to the police, the CSWDO or the barangay.