CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) member-agencies bared their respective preventive measures and initiatives against the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019 nCoV- ARD).
“Although Central Luzon remains negative from 2019 nCoV- ARD, we still need to implement precautionary measures to avoid the transmission of virus,” DRRM in Health Chief Maila Rostrata said during the RDRRMC Response Cluster Meeting.
As chair of the inter-agency task force, Department of Health (DOH) called for support from members in closely monitoring the 2019 nCoV-ARD situation in the region.
Rostrata advised Provincial Health Offices (PHOs) to create a Rapid Response Team and to collect, organize, analyze and interpret surveillance data in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, Municipal and City Health Offices were tasked to verify and report all available essential information immediately to their respective PHO.
Moreover, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection committed to assist DOH in contact tracing and facilitating the isolation and control quarantine areas and the maintenance of peace and order related to the management of the areas affected.
Also, Department of Social Welfare and Development was assigned to assist DOH in the referral of suspected cases for possible surveillance and contact tracing.
Bureau of Quarantine likewise pledged to ensure the detection, identification and containment of Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases in all ports of entry and exit of the country.
“For the production of face masks, we are already coordinating with a local provider that can yield 100,000 pieces of masks per month. Also, our department is keen on monitoring the price, profiteering and hoarding of face masks,” Department of Trade and Industry Information Officer Warren Serrano said.
Department of the Interior and Local Government is responsible in mobilizing the community, particularly the barangay, by directing the local government units to monitor the health situation in their respective jurisdiction.
In case of suspected cases among students, Department of Education shall suspend classes and temporarily quarantine the suspect or case until referral to the hospital.
Department of Foreign Affairs is in-charge in the coordination with embassies, consulates and missions to obtain information from the overseas Filipino workers about the general health situation of Filipino communities as well as the individual medical condition called to the embassies’ attention.
To alleviate fear and panic, Philippine Information Agency vowed to disseminate accurate information, combat the spread of fake news and help DOH reach wide audience in propagating updates.