By Chito Chavez
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday stressed there should be no cause for fear or alarm over the safety of Capas, Tarlac residents as mounting opposition snowballed amid the operation of a quarantine facility for the novel Coronavirus (nCoV) cases at the New Clark City (NCC).
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Photo from Philippine Information Agency / File Photo / MANILA BULLETIN)
With the arrival of the initial batch of Filipinos from nCoV-stricken Wuhan, China, Año assured residents living in areas located in the vicinity of NCC that they have nothing to worry about as protective measures are being enforced.
Despite deep public concern, Año assured there was absolutely no risk to the residents of Capas Tarlac.
READ MORE: New Clark City to serve as quarantine site for Filipinos to be repatriated from Hubei
“How could that be when they will not even see a glimpse or shadow of our OFWs in the Athletes’ Village?” he said in a statement.
Dispelling false claims that they have disregarded the sentiments of the local government unit and its residents, Año appealed for understanding, stressing that the government had no other recourse out of necessity and of national interest.
“They are also Filipinos that deserve our help and understanding. This is the time that we must help each other,” he added.
Some 30 Filipinos expats were brought to New Clark City where they will be quarantined during the 14-day incubation period.
READ MORE: 32 Filipino repatriates free from flu-like symptoms after arrival from China
The DILG chief said this was done to ensure their wellness as the nCoV disease in China claimed the lives of more than 800 people while around 37,000 were infected as of Sunday.
Initially, some 50 Filipinos were expected to arrive in the country from China, but for unknown reasons only 30 of them took the flight.
Año added that only those with normal health status will be placed on 14-day quarantine while those with symptoms were not allowed to board the aircraft.
“Upon arrival, they will be subjected to another screening and anybody that would manifest symptoms will be brought straight to the hospital. In other words, only those persons without symptoms or manifestations shall undergo the mandatory 14 day quarantine,” he added.
Earlier, the Capas government initially rejected plans to use its area for the quarantine of nCoV-persons due to health and safety concerns raised by residents but later on agreed to host only the first batch of repatriated Filipinos from Wuhan.
READ MORE: DOH: nCoV PUIs now at 264
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Photo from Philippine Information Agency / File Photo / MANILA BULLETIN)
With the arrival of the initial batch of Filipinos from nCoV-stricken Wuhan, China, Año assured residents living in areas located in the vicinity of NCC that they have nothing to worry about as protective measures are being enforced.
Despite deep public concern, Año assured there was absolutely no risk to the residents of Capas Tarlac.
READ MORE: New Clark City to serve as quarantine site for Filipinos to be repatriated from Hubei
“How could that be when they will not even see a glimpse or shadow of our OFWs in the Athletes’ Village?” he said in a statement.
Dispelling false claims that they have disregarded the sentiments of the local government unit and its residents, Año appealed for understanding, stressing that the government had no other recourse out of necessity and of national interest.
“They are also Filipinos that deserve our help and understanding. This is the time that we must help each other,” he added.
Some 30 Filipinos expats were brought to New Clark City where they will be quarantined during the 14-day incubation period.
READ MORE: 32 Filipino repatriates free from flu-like symptoms after arrival from China
The DILG chief said this was done to ensure their wellness as the nCoV disease in China claimed the lives of more than 800 people while around 37,000 were infected as of Sunday.
Initially, some 50 Filipinos were expected to arrive in the country from China, but for unknown reasons only 30 of them took the flight.
Año added that only those with normal health status will be placed on 14-day quarantine while those with symptoms were not allowed to board the aircraft.
“Upon arrival, they will be subjected to another screening and anybody that would manifest symptoms will be brought straight to the hospital. In other words, only those persons without symptoms or manifestations shall undergo the mandatory 14 day quarantine,” he added.
Earlier, the Capas government initially rejected plans to use its area for the quarantine of nCoV-persons due to health and safety concerns raised by residents but later on agreed to host only the first batch of repatriated Filipinos from Wuhan.
READ MORE: DOH: nCoV PUIs now at 264