DAVAO CITY—African swine fever (ASF) checkpoints in Sarangani province will also serve as monitoring posts for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the virus.
Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon issued the directive last week as other local governments began canceling their scheduled events over the threat of COVID-19.
Solon has also directed capitol employees to wear face masks if they have a cough and to go on leave if they have fever.
Dr. Alvin Alejandro, provincial health officer, has asked travelers to cooperate if they would be asked about their travel histories and to also present their identification cards and passports.
Alejandro said these initiatives may avert the possible spread of COVID-19 “considering some loopholes are present where pwedeng makalusot ang mga balikbayans or foreign national [returning migrant workers or foreign nationals may slip through
quarantine].”
He said the City Health Office in General Santos City should, likewise, strengthen their borders or checkpoints saying the city was the entry points to the towns in Sarangani province.
The province has tapped the 1,039 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) for monitoring of the COVID-19 at the barangay level.
He said the deployment of BHWs was the province’s strategy to implement memorandum circular of the Department of the Interior and Local Government on addressing COVID-19.
DILG Memorandum Circular 2020-023 “enjoins all government units [LGUs] to effectively intensify the information, education, and communication [IEC] campaign on the nCoV ARD and implement programs, projects and services that will promote the general welfare, public health, and general well-being of every Filipino.”
Alejandro said the circular necessitated the “self-quarantine” of all those who are coming from countries with confirmed cases.
Other local governments, such as Panabo City, had canceled events as a precautionary measure agains the virus. Panabo Mayor Jose E. Relampagos said he is canceling the Araw ng Panabo events on March 1 to 31, his State of the City Address on March 16, and the PBA Game (San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts) on March 28.
“Although there are no confirmed cases in our region as of today, I am determined to implement precautionary measures in the city of Panabo and follow DOH [Department of Health] and DILG guidelines against the disease,” said Relampagos.
“Therefore, I strongly encourage you to practice self-protection measures and avoid attending crowded places/events and other mass gatherings anywhere. All similar events organized by the barangay and city governments are ordered to halt until further notice. Private organizers are, likewise, strongly advised to suspend similar events in the city of Panabo,” he added.