CEBU CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo appealed to the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for stricter health protocols to be imposed on the management of returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs) after the province saw an increase in COVID-19 positive cases.
In Negros Oriental, a total of 13 cases have been recorded as of June 2, 2020.
Of the 13 cases, 9 are currently admitted in isolation facilities.
During the Laging Handa Network Briefing interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar, Degamo said the increase in the positive cases can be attributed to the arrival of LSIs who returned to Negros Oriental under the Balik Probinsya program of the national government.
Although the governor assured that the province will continue to accept LSIs and repatriated OFWs, he appealed to the IATF that the returning individuals be subjected to quarantine in designated government facilities upon their arrival instead of directly going back to their homes.
For added safety, he also recommended that updated negative polymerase chain (PCR) results would be presented upon their arrival.
Degamo said there have been no COVID-19 cases in the province for the past two months after the provincial government implemented the lockdown.
The governor has issued several executive orders mandating safety protocols during the implementation of the community quarantine to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“Ang sekreto ngano zero cases for the past 2 months kay masundanon ang mga two sa EOs (The secret behind the zero cases for the past two months is due to the cooperation of the public to the EOs),” said the governor.
As more OFWs and LSIs go back to their home provinces, LGUs are preparing their isolation facilities to accommodate the number of people going home.
Degamo added they are ensuring that proper isolation procedures are being followed in the province’s management of the LSIs and OFWs.
LGUs in Negros Oriental are also providing food for their COVID-19 positive patients admitted in government quarantine facilities.
The Negros Oriental provincial government has also allocated funds for the distribution of food packs as the province is now on its third wave of relief distribution.
Degamo also assured his constituents that the government is doing its best to protect the people from COVID-19.
“Don’t worry. Your government will always be on top of the situation. Padayon ra kita sa atong pakigbisog (Let’s continue to fight COVID-19),” he said. (poc/PIA7)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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