By Sonya Delgado
The city government of Davao has issued an order to suspend face-to-face classes at all levels in both public and private schools in preparation for the upcoming Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) peace rally on January 13.
Proclamation No. 01, series o 2025 also mandated a skeleton workforce in all national and local government offices, including GOCCs.
The city government also encourages private offices and establishments in the areas affected by the peace rally to suspend work or adopt work-from-home arrangements for the convenience of their employees.
The order was made to ensure the public order, safety, and the convenience of Dabawenyos as 10 major streets within the city’s business district will be temporarily closed that day.
INC Minister Erano Estudillo said that around 300,000 members of the INC will join the event.
Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) head Angel Sumagaysay said the suspension of work and classes on January 13 will help manage traffic and ensure the convenience of Dabawenyos, especially those working or studying within the event areas.
“INC said that the event will push through, rain or shine. We expect over 300,000 participants within the downtown area, which will result in traffic and congestion,” Sumagaysay said.
“While we have a full traffic and security plan in place, the suspension of work and classes will be helpful,” he added.
The City Government of Davao is set to deploy 5,000 personnel from the Safety and Security Cluster, the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) for the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) peace rally on Monday.
Meanwhile, 5,000 personnel will be deployed by the city government to ensure the people’s safety and smooth flow of the rally.
Sumagaysay aid the Philippine Coast Guard, Intelligence Community, Task Force (TF) Davao, and Davao City Police Office (DCPO) make up the security cluster.
He also said the security forces are ready and are sufficient to guarantee public safety.
A total of 565 staff members will be sent by the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) to handle any emergency that may arise during the peace rally.
CDRRMO Head Alfredo Baloran said the 565 personnel will be coming from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Medical Response, Peace 911 staff, and the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team.
He said medical stations will be set up for the event. The main medical station will be at the Rizal Park, while there will be three others positioned along Claveria, San Pedro and Ponciano Streets.
He added that emergency medical responders and doctors from the Iglesia ni Cristo and the City Health Office will be at the medical stations.
More than 400 personnel will also be deployed by the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) to manage the roadways.
CTTMO Head Dionisio Abude said there will be partial road closure from 9 p.m. on January 11 to 7:59 a.m. on January 13.
Partial road closures will be implemented on San Pedro, C.M Recto, C. Bangoy, Iñigo, Pelayo, Bolton and Rizal Streets, in order to prepare for the stage setup at the Rizal Park.
On the day of the rally on January 13, there will be complete road closure including San Pedro, C.M. Recto, C. Bangoy, Iñigo, Pelayo, Bolton, Rizal, Illustre, Bonifacio and Palma Gil Streets.
Attendees are also advised to immediately report to the security cluster if there are suspicious individuals or unattended baggage.