CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda went on social media Monday deploring what he called “inhumane” treatment of Covid-19 patients and their families in two barangays of Porac and Guagua towns.
Pineda posted pictures of two houses purportedly with confirmed Covid-19 patients in the unnamed villages barricaded by rusting corrugated galvanized iron sheets.
Reports said what amounted to be a complete physical lockdown was instigated by barangay officials who allegedly claimed the patients ventured out of their homes and mingles with neighbors against their advice and in violation of health protocols.
Pineda said that was “no excuse for such inappropriate behavior,” citing that the provincial government has an ordinance prohibiting discrimination against Covid-19 patients.
Ordinance No. 757, series of 2020 passed last April declared a policy of the provincial government of Pampanga “to respect, protect and promote the human rights and welfare of persons confirmed to be positive for Covid-19, PUI, PUM, health workers, and frontliners.”
“The Covid-19 patients, PUI, PUM, health workers and other frontliners are presently experiencing discrimination and stigma because of the perceived danger they pose in spreading the virus,” the governor said at that time.
The ordinance was enacted precisely so that Covid-19 patients as well as health workers will be “protected against any act of discrimination, harassment, violence, bullying that causes stigma, shame, indignity, dishonor and humiliation or harm.”
Pineda urged village leaders to be “more understanding and patient in this pandemic.”
“It is enough that [Covid-19 patients] are isolated and their family members prevented from leaving their homes,” he said.
This, even as the governor asked his constituents to report similar incidents directly to his office for appropriate action.
