BACOLOD City Councillor Claudio Puentevella, chairperson of the City Council committee on health, urged the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO), Bacolod Emergency Operations Center, and the City Health Office (CHO) to organize, equip, and prepare the city’s isolation and testing facilities in preparation for the rising number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the city.

Puentevella said this is to prevent widespread transmission and provide supportive care to patients infected by Covid-19.

“Early preparation and organization of Covid-19 isolation facilities can help mitigate and control transmission of Covid-19 and mitigate adverse health effects that can be inflicted by the disease on patients,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness, and can be fatal, he said.

Puentevella disclosed that Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that the Local Government Units shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare.*