The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has created an action team that would closely monitor the increasing cases of COVID-19 among its frontliners, and to ensure that the necessary assistance will be given to their infected personnel.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista disclosed that the DSWD has recorded 167 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 57 recoveries.
"Masusi pong binabantayan ng DSWD ang kondisyon ng ating mga kawani na nagpositibo sa COVID-19 (The DSWD is closely monitoring the condition of our personnel who tested positive for COVID-19),” he assured the public amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases among its personnel.
He said among the assistance extended to the infected personnel are health monitoring and referrals to the Department of Health (DOH) facility, if needed; provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and vitamin supplements; hazard pay; financial and medical assistance; and mental health and psychosocial services.
"Bumuo rin ng COVID-19 Action Team ang ahensya (The agency has created COVID-19 Action Team) upang mamonitor (to monitor) at maassess (and assess) ang sitwasyon ng COVID- 19 cases (the situation of COVID-19 cases) nang gayon ay makapagsagawa ng nararapat na intervention (so that necessary intervention will be conducted) para lalong maprotektahan ang mga kawani (to further protect the employees) at matulungan ang mga empleyado na nagpositibo sa sakit (to help the employees who tested positive for the disease),” Bautista said.
He noted that from March 17 to August 13, over 1,500 DSWD personnel have submitted themselves to self-quarantine following their exposure to individuals who tested positive for coronavirus disease.
The DSWD chief said considering the increasing COVID-19 cases in the department, around 97 employees in the Central Office and some personnel of their Crisis Intervention Unit have undergone tests through the assistance of the Marikina Molecular Laboratory and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), respectively.
He said the agency also implemented preventive measures to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in its Central Office and Field Offices (FOs). These include the regular disinfection of all DSWD buildings and offices; implementation of work arrangements such as work from home and skeleton force; provision of shuttle service to employees; and food rationing and free accommodation to workers who are part of the skeleton force.
He said he has issued a directive to the heads of offices allowing them to recommend lockdown in offices and buildings so that disinfection and sanitation will be conducted. The agency also issued advisories based on DOH protocols to promote awareness among its personnel, and to strengthen compliance with prevention protocols.
Bautista assured that amid the recorded 167 cased of COVID-19 in the DSWD, the second tranche distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and the implementation of its regular pro-poor programs will continue.