By Mike Crismundo
BUTUAN CITY – Seeking to ensure the health security of Caraganons, Governor Francisco Matugas of Surigao del Norte on Tuesday has sought the assistance of the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) and Department of Health (DOH) to consider the temporary ban of Chinese vessels coming direct from China, to avert the entry of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the region.
“I strongly recommend to include (in the temporary ban) all Chinese vessels loading and unloading cargoes in our province and neighboring areas, to protect our constituents from corona virus,” he said.
The Surigao del Norte governor, who was very much concerned of the health of Caraganons, asked top officials of the BoQ and DOH to reconsider his request for the meantime.
“Good weather condition is set to start in Northeastern Mindanao by the end of this month where many Chinese vessels are coming to load nickel ore from various mining companies in Surigao and Dinagat provinces, including Agusan del Norte province,” Matugas said, in an exclusive interview with The Manila Bulletin.
“Just for this time, anyway they can resume their (Chinese vessels) operation if normal situation goes back,” Gov. Matugas pointed out.
In full support of the Executive Order of Matugas last week, members of the provincial legislative body of Surigao del Norte on Monday, February 3, unanimously passed a resolution banning the temporary entry of Chinese nationals in Surigao del Norte and Siargao Island, for the safety of its constituents.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) resolution temporary banned the entry of Chinese nationals who came from Macau, Wuhan and other areas from China.
Last week, the provincial chief executive already raised “full alert” in the whole province and mobilized its health officials and personnel to implement mitigating measures to stop the entry of the 2019-nCoV, to protect public health.
He said the residents and tourists in Surigao del Norte, especially in “Paradise Island of Siargao” must be protected until the 2019-nCoV will be properly addressed.
“We are talking about health. That is our main concern now and that should come first above everything else,” stressed the governor.
Matugas called on the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information on 2019-nCoV.
Health authorities in Caraga region led by DOH 13 Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. are already closely coordinating with other concerned line agencies of the government and local government unit officials to avert the entry of nCoV in Caraga region, particularly in Siargao Island where influx of foreign tourists are coming daily.
The DOH 13 is also monitoring more than 10 persons amid the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) threat.
The regional office of DOH-13 said these individuals are classified as ‘Persons Under Monitoring’.
The Persons Under Monitoring do not have symptoms of 2019-nCoV, but have traveled to China in the last 14 days.
As of press time, the regional office of DOH 13 said Caraga region has no case of 2019-nCoV, nor has it any PUI or person under investigation. PUIs are those who exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, supplies of face masks already ran out in various parts in the five provinces and six cities in Caraga region due to the novel coronavirus scare.
Health authorities here appealed to Caraga residents to “stay calm and there is no need to do panic-buying” for the face masks.