IN RESPONSE to future pandemics similar to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) is now crafting a plan as a ready measure to confront epidemics in the future.
Albert Mogol, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Cordillera regional director and CDRRMC chairman, explained a pandemic plan should be in place with a working budget and standby facilities.
“We are now in the process of creating the regional response plan for pandemic emerging diseases. If you talk about preparedness and resiliency, a plan should be present with an appropriate budget for us to appropriately respond,” Mogol said.
The CDRRMC chair pointed out facilities needed during a possible pandemic must be in place, aside from investing in other facilities that are required for specific types of pandemic situations.
“The new normal under the Covid-19 is teaching us on what measures should be undertaken to respond to this and what would be the new normal in terms of disaster response and resiliency. Agencies now will have to invest under its 2021 annual procurement plan like for example, the establishment of decontamination stations, regular testing of employees plus the appropriate supply of alcohol and face masks, which have been discussed during the council meeting,” Mogol added.
Mogol reiterated the specific identification of isolation and quarantine facilities should be part of the plan.
“As of the moment, one of the things that we have learned from this Covid-19 is the lack of facilities to address the conduct of massive testing and also the community quarantine. Because the effects of this pandemic were immediate, some schools were utilized for community quarantine facility, and especially now that classes will start, some schools have been identified to conduct a face-to-face learning system, particularly those in areas with no cases of Covid,” Mogol added.
Mogol also noted the need of hiring more health workers in the region, which is seen to lessen the impact of any pandemic like Covid-19.
Marlo Iringan, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera regional director, lauded chief executives for being proactive since the start of the pandemic in March by institutionalizing measures to support their communities.
“Among the innovative ways on how our LGUs reacted to the Covid-19 pandemic is the establishment of rolling stores for the communities, the contact tracing procedures being done in Baguio City which is now well known in the country, the local government unit of Abra who bought the local products of the farmers and other good practices in the region,” Iringan pointed out.
DILG-Cordillera also reported barangay officials were charged for corruption in line with the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program.