By Malu Cadelina Manar  KIDAPAWAN CITY – The local government here has decided to postpone the street thematic parade, and drum and lyre competitions, which are among the highlights of the city’s 22nd charter day celebrations, to prevent unnecessary exposure of the public to the 2019-novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019 nCov-ARD). The parade was supposed to be held on February 10, start of five day of festivities. Lawyer Jose Paolo Evangelista, head of the City Information Office (CIO), clarified the activities were just postponed, and not cancelled. He said they did not want children, who will comprise most of the participants in the carnival-themed parade and drum and lyre contests, to be exposed to the virus. He, however, stressed the activities will continue on a later date or once it is confirmed that nCoV no longer poses any threat to the city. But the civic parade, which also highlights the city’s charter day on February 12, will continue as scheduled, the CIO head said. “The civic parade is participated in mostly by adults,” he added. The decision to postpone some of the activities of the foundation day was reached after a meeting on Friday of health officials from the City Health Office, City Tourism Office, CIO, and the Kidapawan City Schools Division. The result was submitted to Mayor Joseph Evangelista and immediately ordered the execution of the plan, according to CIO head. This year’s theme for the foundation day is, “Celebrating Life, Sustaining Peace, and Envisioning Progress.” Meantime, the local government has already placed bottles of hand sanitizers in different public places in the city. This, according to Evangelista, will ensure public health and safety. The local government will also see to it that public restrooms have water and soap. READ MORE: DOH confirms Chinese woman 3rd case of nCoV in PH