FORUM. To further strengthen measures against Covid-19 in Pampanga, Vice Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda meets barangay captains across the province during the Talakayan: Talastasan sa Kalusugan, Kaunlaran, at Kapayapaan at ASEAN Convention Center, Clark Freeport Zone. Photo Courtesy of Jun Jaso/PIO
MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga – Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda urged the barangay officials to strictly monitor Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning home from countries with confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), and local residents with flu-like symptoms in order to prevent the spread of the said virus.
This was gleaned during the Talakayan: Talastasan sa Kalusugan, Kaunlaran, at Kapayapaan attended by barangay captains across the province on Tuesday (February 11) at ASEAN Convention Center, Clark Freeport Zone.
During the discussion, Vice Governor Pineda urged the barangay captains to teamup with the barangay health workers (BHW) in monitoring the symptomatic, individuals with travel history outside the country, and repatriated OFWs to prevent the progression of the virus.
“Ang Pilipino ay Pilipino. Kahit na ano pa ‘yan! Mahawa o ikamatay niyo man ‘yan, bilang mga tagapaglingkod, kailangang gampanan ninyo ang inyong mga obligasyon. Tanggapin niyo sila, at huwag ninyong pandirihan,” she stressed.
Prior to this, it can be recalled that Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda recently opened Pampanga for the 14- day quarantine of OFWs repatriated from COVID-19-stricken countries, and designed a protocol to maintain the province free from any possible case of the virus.
It was also mentioned during the event that Vice Governor Pineda will be providing facemasks to sick individuals to avoid transmission of any viruses to non-infected beings.
She also asked the present officials to discourage their respective communities to abstain from wearing facemasks if not necessarily needed.
“Kung wala naman po tayong sakit, mas mainam na iwasan po natin ang madalas na paggamit facemasks. Ibigay na lang po natin sa mga tunay na nangangailangan ng mga ito,” the vice governor said.
Positive cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines remain on three (3) with one (1) mortality. As of February 9 this year, the Department of Health (DOH) said that the number of persons under investigation (PUI) in the country reached 284, including the 36 patients in Central Luzon.
The event was also graced by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Members Olga Frances “Fritzie” David-Dizon, Cherry Manalo, Rosve Henson, Anthony Joseph “Tonton” Torres, Benjamin “Benny” Jocson, Nelson Calara, Ananias “Jun” Canlas; Pampanga Councilor’s League President Venancio “Asyong” Macapagal; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Pampanga Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia; and Philippine Information Agency III Director William Beltran.
Among the presenters during the discussion were Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Head Angelina Blanco; Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Augusto Baluyut, Jr.; Pampanga Police Provincial Office (PPPO) Director PCol. Jean Fajardo; Department of Health (DOH)-3 Dr. Ria Ramos; Land Transportation Office (LTO) Zambales Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Carlito Calingo; DILG- 3 LGOO VI Mark Jason Veran and LGOO V Christian Red Mejia; Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Representative Allin Bonus; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Representative Ma. Rosini David; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Jenica Dunglao; Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Ltc. Felix Emeterio Valdez; and Philippine Army 1st Lt. Oscarito Tobias.
