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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Año assures health protocols in 'Odette'-hit evacuation centers observed

Año assures health protocols in 'Odette'-hit evacuation centers observed

Published Dec 20, 2021 05:02 am

Guidelines were issued to the local government units (LGUs) affected by typhoon Odette to ensure that health protocols are strictly followed in all the evacuation centers, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said on Sunday night, Dec. 19.

This was his response after Dr. Tony Leachon, a former government's coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) response adviser, earlier expressed deep concern on the possibility of having a spike of the virus in the said evacuation centers.

He noted that there were forced evacuations in the typhoon ravaged areas of the Visayas and Mindanao that exposed the evacuees to the COVID-19 virus.

Short of allaying Leachon’s fears of a COVID-19 surge, Año stated that the strict implementation of the health protocols in the evacuation centers is being monitored in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH).

To ensure that all bases are covered in terms of the observance of health protocols, Año maintained that “sanitary accessories must also be replaced.’’

“Members of LESUs (local epidemiology and surveillance units) and contact tracers are also on alert to trace any probable case,’’ Año emphasized.

While the government is preoccupied with the rescue and rehabilitation activities, Año pointed out that the priority is still to protect “the health of our constituents.’’

Leachon for his part insisted that the local chief executives (LCE) should install separate tents for the evacuees, provide more face masks and alcohol and conduct rapid antigen testing to avoid the COVID-19 spike.

The DILG chief disclosed that all the local chief executives (LCEs) of the typhoon affected areas are accounted for.

“Out of 1,025 LCEs, 14 lang naman ang wala and they are accounted naman meaning me reasons why they are not around (during typhoon Odette) (Out of the 1,025 LCEs only 14 were missing in action and they are accounted for meaning they have reasons for their absence),’’ Año lamented.

Despite the explanation, Año will still look into the LCEs’ explanation to ensure that the reason for their absence during typhoon Odette are justified and to determine if there were “some neglect on their part.’’ (Chito A. Chavez)

Related Tags

health protocols observed evacuation centers DILG odette Eduardo Año 2
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