Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III (2nd-right), Gov. Albert Garcia and Alion barangay chairman Al Balan during the opening of the 24th vaccination center in Bataan. Photo by Ernie Esconde
BALANGA CITY — To at least lessen the influx of patients infected by the coronavirus disease in capacity-bursting hospitals in Bataan, provincial leaders on Friday spelled out various measures they will be undertaking.
Gov. Albert “Abet” Garcia and brother, 2nd District Rep. Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III both acknowledged that Covid-19 cases are still rising in Bataan and that hospitals are almost filled-up.
“Tumataas pa rin ang kaso ng Covid-19 sa lalawigan kaya nananawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan na maging masinop pa at mas maging masunurin sa mga health protocols dahil kailangan nitong ECQ na mapababa natin ang mga kaso nang sa ganoon makapagbukas na tayo ng ekonomiya,” the governor said.
He said that it may take a while before the cases will go down but the cooperation of every one will be of big assistance to avoid the contagion. He urged his constituents to strictly follow safety protocols to stop the transmission of the virus.
“Sana sumunod tayo sa mga health protocol sa loob at sa labas ng bahay lalung-lalo na kung may APOR. Kahit sa loob ng bahay mag-facemask, huwag magsalu-salo sa pagkain at palaging maghugas ng kamay, mag-disinfect dahil pami-pamilya na nagkakahawahan at dinadala sa emergency room,” he appealed.
Garcia noted that the province has opened already 24 vaccination sites, the latest in Barangay Alion in Mariveles. Alion barangay chairman Al Balan thanked Abet, Joet and the stakeholders for choosing his village as the site of the newest vaccination center in the province.
“Magpa-schedule na kayo para mabakunahan sa pinakamalapit na vaccination center sa inyong tahanan. Inilalapit namin ang bakuna sa inyo para maproteksyunan ang bawat isa at ating pamilya. Sana samantalahin natin ang pagkakataong ito,” the governor said.
Hospitals in the province, public and private, are almost filled especially the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Hospital, the apex Covid-19 hospital in Balanga City.
To remedy the situation and to have additional hospital facilities, the provincial health office agreed to let the BGHMC use its office building as emergency room extension. PHO will transfer its office to the old Capitol building.
“Madadagdagan ang in-patient capacity ng BGHMC lalo na sa pagbubukas ng bagong building nito,” the governor said. Another measure he cited was the building of a field hospital in Mariveles which is considered as the epicenter of Covid and its Delta variant in the province.
“Magtutulong-tulong ang mga agency tulad ng Red Cross, Freeport Area of Bataan at iba pa para magtayo ng field hospital sa Mariveles dahil punung-puno na rin ang Mariveles District Hospital, Mariveles General Hospital and Wellness Center at Maheseco,” he said, noting that “punong-puno at toxic na situation kaya magtatayo ng field hospital to accommodate all Covid patients sa Mariveles.”
“Ito’y sabay-sabay na ginagawa pero nananawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan na huwag na nating dagdagan ang mga pasyente sa ospital. Sana tayo’y mahigpit na sumunod sa health protocol para maging ligtas tayo at hindi na madagdagan ang Covid sa ating pamilya. Sana maawat na natin ito, bumaba na ang Covid at makapagbukas na ekonomiya muli,” the governor added.
Congressman Garcia shared the view of his governor brother: “Ang mga ospital nag-SOS na rin sa dami ng pasyente. Mahihirapan tayo kung patuloy na dadami ang mga kaso natin.”
“So hopefully, itong ECQ natin the next two weeks ay makatulong sa pagpigil, pagbagal ng transmission at mabigyan ang pagkakataon ang ating mga ospital na medyo makahinga nang sa ganoon mapangalagaan mabuti ang mga pasyente, makarekober at mabawasan ang pagdami ng mga kaso,” he said.
“Ang mahalaga siguro ngayon bukod sa sinusundan nating mahigpit na protocol dahil sa ECQ ay ang mas agresibong pagbabakuna sa ating mga kababayan. Patuloy ang pagbubukas natin ng dagdag na vaccination center sa tulong ng napakaraming stakeholders at gagamitin ang dalawang linggo ng ECQ para dumami ang mabakunahan,” the congressman said, adding that at least two vaccination sites for every town in Bataan will be of big help to speed up the inoculation process.
