DILG chief backs postponement of PMA homecoming amid nCoV threat
By Chito Chavez
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday has supported calls for the suspension of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) homecoming set on February 14 and 15 to a later date due to the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) scare.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Philippine Information Agency / MANILA BULLETIN)
Año stressed the postponement of the PMA homecoming to a later date is the right move as the nCoV has not been contained citing the need to exercise on the side of caution or prudence.
"It's the call of the mayor and PMA superintendent. I support their positions. The three-week suspension is enough as it complies/satisfies with the incubation period," Año said.
Año noted it is up to the PMA and PMA Alumni Association officials to set a new date for the homecoming if the event is eventually postponed.
On Tuesday night, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana wants the postponement of the event after former PNP general and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong decided to defer government-sponsored events as a preventive measure against the nCoV.
Currently, the PMA has temporarily barred visitors in order to ensure the safety of cadets and trainees.
PMA spokesman Captain Cherryl Tindog said the PMA leadership has also suspended cadets' weekend leaves, privileges and official businesses outside the academy.
Health authorities said three cases of nCoV were reported in the country with one death over the weekend becoming the first fatality outside China.
President Rodrigo Duterte told the public there was no need to be overly fearful over the nCoV but ordered the temporary ban on all travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau amid the threat of the virus.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Philippine Information Agency / MANILA BULLETIN)
Año stressed the postponement of the PMA homecoming to a later date is the right move as the nCoV has not been contained citing the need to exercise on the side of caution or prudence.
"It's the call of the mayor and PMA superintendent. I support their positions. The three-week suspension is enough as it complies/satisfies with the incubation period," Año said.
Año noted it is up to the PMA and PMA Alumni Association officials to set a new date for the homecoming if the event is eventually postponed.
On Tuesday night, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana wants the postponement of the event after former PNP general and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong decided to defer government-sponsored events as a preventive measure against the nCoV.
Currently, the PMA has temporarily barred visitors in order to ensure the safety of cadets and trainees.
PMA spokesman Captain Cherryl Tindog said the PMA leadership has also suspended cadets' weekend leaves, privileges and official businesses outside the academy.
Health authorities said three cases of nCoV were reported in the country with one death over the weekend becoming the first fatality outside China.
President Rodrigo Duterte told the public there was no need to be overly fearful over the nCoV but ordered the temporary ban on all travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau amid the threat of the virus.