Story & photos by Patrick P. Tulfo
A CONSUMER-commuter group is urging the government to establish a uniform, national and centralized health emergency protocol to abate, mitigate and contain the further spread of the novel coronavirus.
At the first Busina Media Forum in Quezon City, Atty. Argee Guevarra, convenor of Pasada CC, a nongovernment organization for consumers and commuter welfare and protection, said “With the alarming infection rate of COVID-19 in China and after the virus has claimed its first casualty within Philippine territory, government’s disingenuous pronouncements about its preparedness in addressing this viral outbreak without establishing uniform, national and centralized health emergency protocols only undermines government’s earnest efforts at combatting COVID-19’s spread.
“The optics alone paint a disturbing picture. The showcase and frontline infrastructure of government’s fight against COVID-19—the San Lazaro Hospital—the officially designated hospital in the country which is the publicly recognized hub for COVID-19 cases, shows visible signs of being in the midst of initial stages of dilapidation. San Lazaro Hospital does not inspire public confidence about government’s capacity, seriousness and efforts to manage this contagion. Despite the gallant pool of doctors and health workers in San Lazaro Hospital, they are not even properly attired in hazmat suits or are equipped in modern health equipment,” Guevarra added.
During the forum, Guevarra said that Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesman and Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago said that what government has right now is an emergency and disaster response program for earthquakes. Under the program, which it coordinates with LGUs, the entire National Capital Region has been subdivided into quadrants, with each having a hospital for containment purposes. However, Pialago did not confirm if these local hospitals are prepared to handle cases of pandemic-grade viral infections or diseases like the novel coronavirus.
“Earthquakes or volcanic eruptions are dissimilar from health emergencies. The logistical requirements and the skill set for government first-responders differ from each another. The former requires evacuation, while the latter requires containment and quarantine. The government cannot obviously apply evacuation protocols to the COVID-19 epidemic” Guevarra noted.
“In the absence of uniform, national and centralized health emergency protocols laid down by Malacañang or adopted by the DOH, local politicos will likely fill this void and promote their own protocols which may be just palliative measures or better suited for photo-ops and electioneering purposes but not for effectively preventing COVID-19 spread under the prescribed protocols and standards of the World Health Organization.” Guevarra added.
Meanwhile in the sidelines of the said forum, former LTO spokesman now PITX (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange Corporate Affairs Head Jason Salvador said that they are targeting to accommodate more than 100,000 passengers this year, as the operations of their terminal begins to normalize.
Salvador added, “We are hopeful that with the help of the government and transportation agencies, we will be able to hit that target.”
Pasada CC is a nongovernment organization of Filipino consumers and commuters registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Established in 2014 with the first National Coalition of Filipino Commuters and Consumers (NCFCC), Pilipino Safety and Development or Pasada CC aims to propose measures to help government improve the lives and standard of living of Filipino consumers and commuters everywhere.
Image credits: Patrick P. Tulfo