By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY—A cop and a truck helper from the province tested
positive for COVID-19, based on results March 28, 2020, the Mariano Marcos
Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) confirmed.
Reports said the 42-year old male from Brgy. Sungadan in Paoay,
Ilocos Norte has no travel history and the 49-year old male from Brgy. Magnuang
in Batac City travelled to Metro Manila several times. Both were admitted at
the MMMH&MC and currently in stable condition.
With this, concerned health authorities are undertaking more
stringent measures while urging everyone to stay home and only go out for
necessities.
“We have already quarantined those who have been in contact with
the two COVID-19 patients and we are in close contact with the Department of
Health, mayors, city/municipal health officers, and barangay captains to
further contact trace these patients,” said Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew
Joseph M. Manotoc in a public statement released on the evening of March 28,
2020.
Mr. Manotoc has also locked down the two barangays where the
positive cases came from.
“May we all prioritize the common good and protect and provide
for each other. We do not know the duration or severity of this calamity but we
do know our actions will affect the outcome,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Bangui District Hospital in northern Ilocos Norte
announced also on March 28, 2o20 that they have temporarily closed the hospital
due to a suspected COVID-19 patient who went to the hospital for treatment but
opted not to reveal his true condition.
As a result, at least four doctors and eight hospital workers are
on self-quarantine.
The Bangui hospital appealed to the public to cooperate with
health workers and to always tell the truth during health consultation.
Manotoc declares Ilocos Norte’s ‘total lockdown’
PRIOr to the two
positive COVID-19 cases’ results, Mr. Manotoc placed the entire province under
a "total lockdown" effective March 30, 2020 as he urged all residents
to cooperate and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the province.
Mr. Manotoc issued the declaration Sunday night, March 29, 2020,
in an effort to keep his locality COVID-19-free, noting that Ilocos Norte was
the only remaining province in Northern Luzon with zero confirmed case of the
viral disease at the time.
In his video announcement posted on Facebook on Sunday night, Mr.
Manotoc said the complete lockdown is meant to further secure the residents.
“With this lockdown, nobody is permitted to enter the province
except for delivery of cargoes, accredited health workers, peace and order and
emergency personnel of the government and those officially authorized by the
governor,” he stated.
He also said the province’s residents should observe a strict 5
am to 8 pm transaction time during the total lockdown.
The governor also asked Ilocos Norte residents who are currently
outside the province not to return home until the COVID-19 crisis has ended.
To lessen the movement of people going to the market or grocery
stores, the provincial government encouraged setting up of mobile stores in
each barangay.
Barangay, LGU schemes
Even before the
total lockdown, Brgy. Badio officials in Pinili, Ilocos Norte launched the
“Lista mo, Bili ko” program where residents can list down their grocery needs
or medicines and the assigned barangay official per sitio or zone will buy it
for them and deliver the essentials to their doorsteps free of charge.
“It is indeed very helpful for us that we have these kind of
barangay officials who sacrifice a lot for their constituents,” said Aileen
Rambaud, a Pinili town resident who lauded this initiative.
In Brgy. Magnuang in Batac City, Zeny Bagay on March 30, 2020
said she harvested her eggplants, squash and string beans which, she shared to
the less fortunate in the city who could not go out to buy food.
In Laoag City, Mayor Michael M. Keon, along with personnel from
the City Social Welfare and Development office, continue to deliver food packs
to the homes of selected 40 indigent families per barangay.
“Under this administration, those who are less fortunate will be
the first to be supported and yes, everyone in the end will be supported as
long as the national government ensures adequate funding to all local
government units,” Mr. Keon said on his Facebook post.
He assured that more food stocks will be distributed in the
following days and that they will prioritize those who have lost jobs and
income such as tricycle and jeepney drivers and construction workers.
“This is the time for people to show genuine compassion and
understanding. In the end, actions speak louder than words,” Mr. Keon claimed.
In Brgy. 1 in Laoag City, barangay officials reported that they
have distributed 1,315 food packs to residents; while the city government,
through the City Social Welfare and Development Office gave 40 packs to the
barangay’s 40 indigent families.
Governor personally leads efforts vs COVID-19
As chairperson of
Ilocos Norte’s “Task Force Salun-at,” Mr. Manotoc continues to personally lead
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.
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.
Enough rice supply amid COVID-19
Guaranteeing food
security in the province amidst the escalating threat of coronavirus disease
(COVID-19), the provincial government assures the public that it has enough
rice supply during the month-long enhanced community quarantine.
According to Sustainable Development Center head, Edwin Cariño,
the National Food Authority (NFA)-Ilocos Norte reported a total of 197,647 bags
of rice serving as a buffer stock, good for 46 days, are available in their
different warehouses. Also, the NFA has already released a total of 3,905 bags
of rice to different local government units (LGUs).
He further assured that the second harvesting season this March
and April will boost the rice supply in the province.
“15,000 hectares of the planted area can produce at least 1.2
million bags of palay and once milling preparation is completed, about 780,000
bags of rice will be added to our buffer stock which is sufficient for over six
months,” Mr. Cariño added.
“Hindi talaga magkukulang ang suplay ng bigas sa probinsya.
Ito rin ang basis namin kung bakit mas maraming bigas ang mga pinamigay
nating ayuda kaysa sa canned goods,” he shared.
On March 24, 2020, the provincial government started the
distribution of relief goods to LGUs, and aims to provide for the 70,000
families, whose wages are earned in a daily basis.
PGIN rolls out cash-for-work for daily wage earners
Meanwhile, the
provincial Government through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
Office (PENRO) and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO)
will launch a cash-for-work program for displaced daily wage earners.
“Daytoy a cash-for-work
program-tayo ket tulong para kadagiti displaced
daily wage earner. Makitatayo daytoy a
dakkel a tulong para kadagitay inaldaw nga agsuelsueldo ket ammotayo metten nga
awan pagsapulanda ita gapo ta detoy makunkuna a community quarantine ket temporarily suspended amin nga operation ti public transportation.
Isu nga dagiti tricycle driver ken jeepney
driver ti nangnangruna a mabenepisiaran
ti programatayo,” PENRO program head Estrella Sacro explained.
PGIN has allotted PHP15 Million from the PSWDO budget for the
first batch of beneficiaries of the employment program and eyes on allocating
additional budget in case the enhance community quarantine extends.
Meanwhile, in line with the “Narimat nga Aglawlaw,” province-wide
environmental preservation campaign, the cash-for-work aims to maintain the
cleanliness of our surroundings, especially with this type of calamity we are
facing now, according to Mrs. Sacro.
“Ang priority natin ngayon
ay maintenance ng flood control
projects at revenue generating
activities. Ito ang instruction ni Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc sa atin. It should be a sanitation and
cleaning of surroundings including rivers, creeks, coastal clean-up, and canal
unclogging. PHP255 will be their daily salary,” she elaborated.
The list of beneficiaries who were evaluated and selected by their
respective barangay officials are now
awaiting Mr. Manotoc’s approval and are set to start early April.
PSWD alongside barangay officials will oversee the employment
program, while PENRO will facilitate the program briefing.
Private sector donations
Private businesses
in the province continue to donate various essential equipment for frontline
workers to the provincial government.
Mr. Manotoc, together with Rep. Eugenio Angelo M. Barba (Ilocos
Norte 2nd District) distributed relief supplies to various
communities in the province.
Meanwhile, Northpoint Alliance Motors Corporation head, Hanson
Chua donated mist sprayers for disinfecting and sanitizing building and goods.
Kyrie Pugong of Blue Sky Furnishing donated hammocks as comfortable resting
equipment.
SaveMore Supermarket of SM Corporation likewise donated food
packs to aid indigent families.
The Bangui District Hospital also donated a biological safety
cabinet to Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) in
the City of Batac.
Furthermore, Ilokano couturier Amor Albano also crafted personal
protective equipment for use of medical frontliners and health personnel.
Even with the present amount of help, the provincial government
continues to request additional aid from its other partners to support the
basic needs of all sectors and communities.
In its recent announcement, PGIN called on the public to donate
materials for improvised face shield, such as acetate plastic, garter, grommet
set, foam, and velcro tape, among others. Moreover, MMMH&MC has pleaded to volunteer
doctors, nurses, and medical workers for help.
For interested donors, please contact OIC Provincial
Administrator Miriam Ranchez at phone number 0915-395-0051. (With reports form PGIN-CMO)
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