AMID the rising number of positive cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the province and across the country, the Municipality of Masantol remains free from the virus as of Wednesday noon.
The local government and police seem to be taking advantage of the town’s geographical location being at the southern-most part of the province to secure the community and its people from the dreaded Covid-19.
Since the enhanced community quarantine was implemented in Luzon, Masantol police, together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and local government, has earnestly manned the checkpoints installed at the town’s borders.
According to town’s chief of police Major Elias Tait, all non-residents of Masantol are not allowed entry except for those delivering essential goods and services, provided that they present necessary documents from concerned government agencies.
Residents of Masantol who traveled from another place, meanwhile, need to go through rigorous process before they can come home, Tait furthered.
“They need to present identification cards or certifications that show they are really from Masantol. After that, they will be disinfected by and interviewed to distinguished if they must be considered persons under monitoring (PUM),” he said.
All vehicles who pass by the border checkpoints are also disinfected by BFP to ensure that virus, if any, will be washed out prior to vehicle’s entry to town.
Currently, Tait said checkpoints manned by local police are placed on four borders of this town namely in Barangay San Nicolas, Kalsadang Bayu, Sitio Putat at the dike, left bank portion of the Pampanga River.
Mayor Danilo Guintu, for his part, said that while Masantol remains Covid-19 free, the local government is still strictly monitoring the total 235 PUMs and four persons under investigation this town.
“We are under daily monitoring of the Municipal Health Office to check on their situations. We are also in close coordination with the Department of Health for any possible updates that we can disseminate to PUMs and PUIs and the public,” he said.
Guintu added that distribution of relief goods is continuously in town to assist those heavily-affected with the implementation of home quarantine, as well as limit the movement of public.
“The local government, together with the local police and firemen, are doing everything we can to safeguard our constituents from the virus, as well as provide assistance for them through relief operations,” he said.
“We also would like to acknowledge and express gratitude to business establishments and private individuals who pour in their donations to help their needy kabalens. Their generosity play a vital role in our goal to immediately suppress Covid-19,” he added.