CAGAYAN, Philippines — The provincial government of Cagayan has allayed the fears of thousands of delegates now attending the week-long 2020 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Tuguegarao City on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In her welcome remarks, Rosario Villaflor, Chief Assistant to Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba, called on the young campus journalists, student paper advisers, guests, and the Department of Education (DepEd) officials not be scared, but be cautious amid the COVID-19 threat. Villaflor also encouraged the young journalists to always verify information as it is the very essence of journalism. The education department earlier announced the cancelation of its national and regional events as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. DepEd- Cagayan Valley region also formed a COVID-19 task force stationed at all the contest venues and billeting quarters to ensure the safety of all the participants of this year’s NSPC, which takes place from March 9-13.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 10, 2020 03:00 UTC