THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), in close coordination with local government units, has set up more quarantine facilities across the region for the returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW).
Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, Minister of Health in Barmm, said the move is part of the preventive measures to prevent second wave of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the region.
"More or less, we were able to control the spread of Covid-19 in Barmm, but what we fear is the homecoming of our OFWs," Dipatuan.
"We are anxious that the OFWs might be carriers of the coronavirus, and that they may spread the virus in their areas," he said.
For this reason, Dipatuan said Barmm continues to establish Covid-19 isolation facilities across the region.
To date, a total of 90 quarantine facilities are now available across Barmm.
To mention some, Dipatuan said the Provincial Government of Basilan has recently converted their old Capitol building and the Sumisip District Hospital as quarantine facilities.
Sibakel Island in Lantawan, Basilan has also served as a quarantine area for hundreds of repatriate Filipinos who sailed from Malaysia.
Dipatuan said the 100-bed capacity isolation facility constructed by Barmm in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao is almost finished.
He said the Provincial Government of Maguindanao has also recently reopened the Parang District Hospital to serve as one of the isolation facilities in the province.
"The Provincial Governments of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have also set-up several quarantine facilities. So, we do not lack isolation facilities for our homecoming citizens," he said.
He said Barmm has only recorded a total of 11 Covid-confirmed cases since the declaration of public health emergency in the country.
Barmm will be placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) effective Saturday, May 16, following its classification as one of the low-risk areas of Covid-19 transmission by the National Inter Agency Task Force.
However, Dipatuan said the public must still continue to practice minimum health standards, such as maintaining proper hygiene, wearing face masks, strengthening immune system, avoiding crowded places, among others. (SunStar Zamboanga)