Governor personally leads efforts vs COVID-19

Laoag City—As chairperson of Ilocos Norte’s “Task Force Salun-at,” Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc is personally leading various preventive and curative measures against COVID-19.

 

Among the duties and responsibilities of the said task force include raising community awareness, promoting preventive and curative measures, perform rapid action and resource mobilization, clinical management and public health response, and planning and periodic reporting.

 

On March 24, 2020 Mr. Manotoc met with local chief executives of the province’s component cities and municipalities; officers of the Philippines National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Bureau of Fire Protection; and representatives of the Ilocos Norte Medical Society. They declared during the meeting that the province remains “COVID-free.”

 

Previously, Mr. Manotoc led the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPEs), disinfectants, and medical supplies to all government-managed hospitals in Ilocos Norte. Likewise, through the Provincial Health Office, PPEs were also given to barangay health emergency response team members.

 

Moreover, it was agreed during the meeting that only three to six officials will man barangay checkpoints and with the PNP’s supervision in connection to a national order.

 

The neophyte governor also leads the series of distribution of relief packs and other aids to the different cities and municipalities. He also began setting up mist sprinklers at all quarantine checkpoints in the province.

 

He has also signed Executive Order (EO) 62-20, mandating the strict implementation of enhanced community quarantine. Among its provisions, it mandates all local chief executives to designate an “Essential Supply Days” and store managements to enforce social distancing among its customers. Several amendments to other previous EOs were made through EO 63-20.

 

He, however, allowed a police officer from Camp Crame to enter the province on April 5, 2020. The police officer tested positive for COVID-19 through the rapid testing kit, or the serological test, and was brought to Camp Juan in this city. Mr. Manotoc stressed that as a fellow Ilocano, Ilocos Norte residents should be “humane and considerate” in letting the policer officer in the province despite his “total lockdown” order. He added that local health personnel have already tested the said person using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The provincial government, however, has yet to announce the result of the said PCR test.

 

Furthermore, EO 64-20 also orders the prohibition of sale, purchase, and serving and consumption of intoxicating drinks from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.

 

The provincial government continues to coordinate with national government agencies, private companies, and individuals to strengthen its support to affected sectors and residents of the province.