Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. asking a representative of the Jongno East Medical Center, Inc. about the alleged profiteering and illegal referrals of Barangay Malabanias officials of suspected COVID-19 patients to take swab tests at the said private clinic. Contributed photo
ANGELES CITY – A visibly irked Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has asked the Department of Health, the Department of the Interior and Local Government,and the city council to conduct a full-blown investigation on alleged referrals of suspected Covid-19 cases by barangay officials to a clinic not licensed to conduct community swab testing.
This, in the wake of a disclosure to the city government of a “concerned citizen” that Barangay Malabanias officials referred 12 suspected Covid-19 patients to the Jongno East Medical Center Inc. located in Mabini Sreet, Friendship Highway of the same village for swab testing, each costing P6,500.
While DOH-licensed as “infirmary hospital,” Jongno East Medical Center Inc. is not authorized to conduct community RT-PCR Test or swab testing, it was learned.
According to the concerned citizen, a family allegedly reported to Barangay Malabanias officials that they were exposed to a relative, who was confirmed to be Covid-19 positive.
The barangay allegedly sent a purok leader named “Noel” to the house of the exposed family who then told them that “the city government is not offering free swab test.”
In an interview, a member of the family told city health officer Dr. Verona Gueverra that Noli told them: “Walang libre ang Angeles City government” and that they “need to pay P6,500” per test.
The family allegedly coordinated with a certain “Maricris” from Barangay Malabanias, who referred them to the Jongno East Medical Center Inc.
The said referrals were in clear violation of the city government’s protocol for suspected Covid-19 patients, said Guevarra.
Under the protocol, the barangay council, through their health workers should coordinate with the CHO once their constituent/s manifests Covid-19 symptoms, or have close contact with positive patients.
CHO through the help of barangay health emergency response team will conduct contact tracing.
It is the city government that will determine who will be quarantined or those who will be subjected to RT-PCR test, stressed Guevarra. Swab testing is shouldered by the city government.
Upon learning of the said report, Lazatin immediately formed a team composed of members of the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, CHO, and the Angeles City Police Office, to be led by his chief adviser director IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel to confirm the veracity of the reports.
The team immediately went to the house of the exposed family, who were then being prepared for PCR Testing by the staff of Jongno East Medical Center Inc.
Lazatin immediately reported to DOH the illegal community RT-PCR test being conducted by Jongno East Medical Center Inc.
In view of this, the mayor issued a stern warning to all officials of the 33 barangays to refrain from making referrals to private centers, and abide by the safety and health protocols set by the city government.
He said he will not tolerate any unlawful activity in the city, especially by officials who are supposed to be the first to implement and follow protocols.
“Hindi po natin i-to-tolerate ang anumang panloloko sa aking mga kababayan, lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya,” Lazatin furthered.
