The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will continue to do its job despite the increasing cases of personnel afflicted with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the organization’s top official said.
"At this time, we cannot afford to totally pull out to rest and recuperate. We will have to hold the line and do whatever it takes to render service, even if it entails the ultimate sacrifice for that is what we swore to when we took our oath. They are no longer just words uttered as a matter of formalities, but a commitment to the nation," Vice Admiral George Ursabia, Jr., Coast Guard commandant, said.
As of July 18, a total of 365 PCG personnel were confirmed COVID-19 positive.
At present, they have 256 active cases while 109 have already recovered.
The sick personnel, according to Ursabia, were immediately pulled from their stations and provided medical assistance.
In order to prevent the virus from further spreading within the organization, members of the Coast Guard's Task Force Bayanihan were directed to ensure frontline personnel are provided with sufficient supplies of vitamins, personal protective equipment sets, and other medical supplies.
Aside from having regular rest periods and work breaks, Coast Guard personnel also undergo debriefing sessions.
“We assure the general public that the PCG will continue to provide efficient frontline service to support the nation’s fight against the threat of COVID-19,” Ursabia said.