From drug rehab to nCoV quarantine? Photo by Armand Galang
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — The Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division ((7ID) which manages this vast military reservation is open to a proposal to make a portion of the Mega Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) here as quarantine area for repatriates from China.
“That is not for us to object,” said 7ID commander Major Gen. Lenard Agustin when asked of the soldiers’ sentiments. “Even I myself nagulat din ako when I was informed last night but of course being with the Armed Forces of the Philippines we will have to obey kung anuman ang desisyon ng national government for the better good of our countrymen.”
Agustin and his staff met with health officials, led by Department of Health Region 3 director Dr. Cesar Cassion here. Cassion then headed to inspect the proposed area for quarantine activity.
Agustin said they proposed buildings at the fourth phase area located at the back portion of the DATRC.
This, he said, is one-fourth of the DATRC thus can accommodate some 2,500 based on drug rehabilitation usage plan.
Agustin allayed fears of contamination saying no persons with manifested 2019-nCoV symptoms will be quarantined in the place based on their briefings.
“Nothing to be apprehensive about,” he said, “as the Chinese government will not allow people who manifested illness to leave their country.”
“Pag okay, the Chinese government will give the go signal for our government to haul our kababayans there,” he explained.
Putting them in a 14-day quarantine is only meant to erase “further doubt. “So huwag tayong matakot dun,” he said. “Also, the DATRC is only one of five choices to be a quarantine area.”
