President Duterte will most likely stay in his hometown of Davao City during the Holy Week like in the previous years, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.

Andanar made this statement as Filipinos plan their Holy Week vacations amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

In his press briefing on Wednesday, April 6, the acting Palace spokesman said President Duterte would most likely be in Davao City next week.

"I would like to believe that the President will stay in Davao City as usual," he said.

"Noong mga nakaraang taon ay doon lamang siya sa kaniyang tahanan sa Davao City (He stayed in his house in Davao City during the past years)," he added.

Duterte has spent most Holy Week celebrations in Davao City since he became president in 2016. However, in 2017, he spent the Holy Week making a historic three-country swing in the Middle East, specifically in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar.

Meanwhile, Andanar urged the public to remain vigilant as they carry on with their Holy Week plans, noting the threat of the new Covid-19 Omicron XE variant that was recently recorded in Thailand.

"Maghugas, mag-mask, mag-social distancing, kung puwedeng iwasan ang malaking crowd, iwasan natin (Wash your hands, wear your mask, practice physical distancing, and if possible, avoid large crowds)," he said.

"Napakalaki ng bansang Pilipinas, we have over 7,600 islands, kung mayroon kayong mapupuntahan na outdoor, mas maganda siguro para hindi kayo nakukulong sa loob ng mga lugar, mga espasyo na kakaunti ang ventilation (The Philippines is large with over 7,600 islands. It's better if you can go outdoors instead of staying in closed spaces without proper ventilation)," he added.