DOH to gov't agencies: Establish your isolation facilities

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Sept. 9 (PIA) - - As local transmission in the workplaces is increasing in Cagayan Valley region, the Department of Health (DOH) region 2 has urged all government agencies and instrumentalities to establish their respective isolation facilities.

Rey Justin Ventura of DOH central office urges government agencies to ensure reasonable working condition in their respective workplaces, provision of PPEs, treatment rooms, and medical assitance. (by PIA) 

Regional Director Rio L. Magpantay said it is better for the agencies to be proactively prepared in case the surge of local transmission in workplaces will further increase taking into consideration the experience of some workplaces in the region which have recorded local transmission cases in the past weeks.

"It is better to have your respective isolation rooms so that in case one of your employees will be positive, all employees inside will have an area to stay for quarantine. This is to avoid further spread of the virus in the community," Magpantay said

In the latest report, among the workplaces with local transmission include the Tuguegarao City Police Station; the Camp Melchor S. Dela Cruz in Echague, Isabela; the Cagayan Valley Medical Center; the Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center in Santiago City; and the Solana Slaughter House in Nueva Vizcaya.

Magpantay added that there are some government agencies that have implemented temporary lockdown previously because of either presence of positive or suspected cases in their respective agencies.

On his part, Rey Justin Ventura, chief health program officer of DOH Central Office, urged government agencies to ensure reasonable working condition in their respective workplaces to include good housekeeping practice, provision of personal protective equipment, provision for health clinics or treatment room, and provision of medical assistance and other benefits for employees.

"Agency heads shall ensure comprehensive dissemination of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) information, the employees shall report related illness and accidents to the management, and ensure that OSH program and activities are included in the annual Work and Financial Plan of the agency," Ventura said. 

DOH officials also reiterated to the agencies as well as those in the private establishments to follow health standards set by the government to help eliminate further spread of the COVID-19. (MDCT/OTB/PIA 2-Cagayan) 

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