CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Edwin Santiago has assured that the city government is taking every step to prevent the spread of 2019 Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the city.
The mayor issued an executive order on March 13, 2020 to intensify the city's mitigation measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease, being the local chief executive and Chairperson of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).
The said measures covered all the concerned sectors of the society which include the academe, organizers of mass gatherings and/or events, health care and public facilities, business community, sectoral groups, barangays, employees of the Local Government Unit, and the transacting clients.
The measures are also aligned with the guidelines of President Rodrigo Duterte under his declaration of State of Public Health Emergency, which included the order to all government agencies and local government units to “cooperate and mobilize necessary resources to combat the said virus.”
Santiago directed the schools to implement an “alternative mode of learning” amidst the suspension of classes, school events and activities, starting on Monday, March 16 up to April 13 but may be extended until further notice.
Likewise for event organizers, they were directed to adopt the Infectious Disease Control Plan which advises them to cancel gatherings and events with a huge number of attendees.
The EO also stated that San Fernando is prepared for a possible register of a Person Under Investigation (PUI) in the City, citing that it will provide Health Care Facilities at the newly-built City Civic Center which will be handled by its health workers and other medical/rescue personnel.
Along with this is the identification of additional temporary quarantine sites and the continuous provision of efficient utility services such as power and water supply, internet, and telecommunications.
As part of its infection control measures and preparations, the public facilities, including schools, places of business, transportation and terminals, malls and markets, barangays, among others, were also directed to strictly implement basic ways to safeguard cleanliness such as clean-up drives, disinfection, and proper waste disposal.
Addressing the concerns of consumers on the rising of price ranges among the commodities and as recommended by the Department of Trade and Industry, the City has ordered the Local Price Coordinating Council to actively monitor the price and quantity of commodities especially disinfectants, alcohol, and face masks.
A Relief Distribution Team will also be part of providing services to the community, particularly to possible indigent PUMs and PUIs, in case a Community Quarantine will be declared in a barangay or citywide scale.
But, the City Government will be more steadfast in making ways to prevent community quarantine from occurring, including its encouragement to household members to prepare and secure their own emergency food and non-food kits good for two weeks.
It is encouraging all sectors, especially Persons with disabilities, Senior Citizens, Solo Parents, and women’s groups to conduct their respective education drives for them to be familiar with vital information about the disease.
Reports about the arrivals and monitoring of individuals and groups in each of the city’s barangays shall also be submitted by the Barangay Officials to the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the City Government.
Following the mandate of Civil Service Commission, the City Government will be adopting, starting on March 16, a four-day work week schedule. Hence, the public is advised to make transactions with the offices from Monday to Thursday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, except for those involved in health services, disaster preparedness, and peace and order.
Moreover, government processes, including the payment of business permits, will be done through online transactions. The delivery of the permits will meanwhile be performed through a door-to-door delivery.
With all these, the City Government is prepared in meeting the financial demands of the measures as it is able to utilize the Quick Response Fund under the Calamity Fund, in case the city will declare a state of calamity.
According to Santiago, San Fernando will focus on funding COVID-19 related measures more than its other projects.
The City Information Office and its partner agencies will also be steadfast in providing factual and timely updates on the COVID-19 among the people in San Fernando and nearby towns and cities.
The guidelines will also be reviewed and updated every two weeks or as often as necessary, as also declared on the order.
As Santiago has set measures for its fight against the disease, the Fernandinos are highly encouraged to participate and become united, as these actions will help remain San Fernando free of COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases.