NTF to help build more Quarantine Facilities in Laguna

NTF Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar Secretary Vince Dizon said through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the national government has committed to take necessary steps to transform the Cabuyao Athletes Basic School (CABS) as additional isolation facility for Cabuyao City. (Photo: Shimie Taclino, PIA-4A)

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, August 17 (PIA) --National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 on Saturday has pledged to help establish more quarantine facilities for COVID-positive patients who are asymptomatic, and with mild symptoms here.

NTF Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar Secretary Vince Dizon said that, through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the national government has committed to take necessary steps to transform the Cabuyao Athletes Basic School (CABS) as additional isolation facility for Cabuyao City.

The NTF Against COVID-19, through the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Pandemic (CODE), convened with the local governments of Cabuyao and San Pablo and its stakeholders to strengthen partnership and coordination in its fight against COVID-19.

“Kailangan po in place ang ating mga sistema simula sa private companies, local government unit, hanggang sa level ng barangays. At bibigyan po ng national government ang local government ng kagamitan para labanan ang COVID-19 [A system should be in place starting from private companies, local government units, down to the barangay levels. The national government will equip the local governments to help fight COVID-19],” he said.

He also expressed confidence the local governments' willingness for this partnership will facilitate the implementation of the thrusts of the National Action Plan against infectious diseases.

Along with ensuring efficient execution of policies, Secretary Dizon stressed that they will continue to craft and undertake initiatives that will ensure the welfare of the vulnerable groups.

“Kailangang maintindihan natin na ang ginagawa po natin ngayon ay giyera [We have to understand that what we are doing right now is war],” he said.

Relentless information dissemination

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, newly designated NTF overseer for Laguna, was also present and reported on a prior meeting he had with Governor Ramil Hernandez and Doctor Eduardo Janairo of the Department of Health - Region IV-A.

IATF-EID Resolution No. 62 designates Cabinet members to provide stronger support to local government units (LGU) in terms of strict monitoring of health system performance, critical care capacity, and stringent compliance in surveillance, isolation, and treatment protocols.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, newly designated NTF overseer for Laguna urged Laguna officials to be relentless in providing their constituents with the right information and reminding them to trust only credible sources of news during this crisis. (Photo: Shimie Taclino, PIA-4A)

He outlined the discussion they had which included partnership with non-profit organizations and the business process outsourcing industry in the province for contact tracing and patient monitoring.

“We are committed to supporting the local government units in Laguna and we will continue to engage the provincial government in monitoring the progress of the province as we assist them towards their full recovery. Together, we will heal and rise as one nation,” Secretary Andanar said.

As head of the government's premier communications arm, Secretary Andanar also addressed the proliferation of inaccurate and deceiving information online, which greatly affected the ongoing efforts to empower the public.

He urged officials to be relentless in providing their constituents with the right information and reminding them to trust only credible sources of news during this crisis.

“Ang fake news ay nakakasira sa diskarte ng local government units. Kaya kailangan bantayan po natin ang ating communication portals at huwag magsawa na ipaalala sa ating constituents na sundin ang mga pinagkakatiwalaang communication portals ng gobyerno at iba pang trusted private media [Fake news can cripple the strategy of the local government units. That is why we need to protect our communications portal, likewise be relentless in continuously reminding our constituents to follow trusted communication portals of the government and trusted private media],” he said.

Secretary Andanar also enjoined LGUs to tap government media for help.

“Malakas po ang ating social media. Gamitin nyo po ang resources ng PCOO dahil ang matinding kalaban natin ay 'infodemic.' Sa sobrang daming social media platforms at information, madami din nagiging biktima ng fake news [We have a strong social media presence. You can use the resources of PCOO because we have a strong enemy—infodemic. Since there are a lot of social media platforms and information, there are also a lot of people becoming victims of fake news],” he said.

“Accurate and responsible information is important to have a very effective communication campaign against COVID-19,” he added.

DILG: Maintain discipline in communities

During the CODE meeting in San Pablo City, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya bared the recently launched 'BIDA Ang May Disiplina,' an advocacy which aims to promote discipline in the new normal.

With the said advocacy, DILG will deputize volunteers to help in reminding residents to adhere to the health protocols such as wearing face masks, practicing physical distancing, and frequent hand washing and sanitizing. (PIA CALABARZON)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)