PAMPANGA Governor Dennis "Delta" Pineda urged local chief executives in Pampanga to activate their temporary treatment and monitoring facilities (TTMF).
This came after most of the quarantine facilities in the province reached full capacity due to the recent and sudden spike of Covid-19 cases.
"Ang inaalala ko ngayon ay nauubusan na tayo ng paglalagyan sa ating contact-tracing persons, kaya kung maaari sana, ang pakiusap ko sa ating mga alkalde, i-activate na ninyo ang inyong community isolation facilities," said Pineda.
He said that the best area that can be used as TTMF is school buildings wherein they can properly isolate the swabbed individuals who are waiting for their test results.
However, Pineda stressed that he needs to assess the schools first to make sure that the guidelines issued by the Department of Health (DOH) are being complied with.
"Ia-assess muna kung wasto at kumpleto ang equipment, at protective gears ng health workers na ide-deploy sa isolation facilities. Hindi ko hahayaan na magswab hanggat hindi natin nasisiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating health workers at mga pasyente," he said.
The governor also asked the cooperation of the municipal health officers in the maintenance of the TTMF, assuring that he will prioritize their safety.
"Hinihingi ko po ang inyong kooperasyon bilang mga kawani ng gobyerno, kung hindi po tayo kikilos, mas lalo lang pong lalala ang sitwasyon, at mas maraming buhay po ang malalagay sa alanganin," said Pineda.
He also mentioned that the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed by the health workers for safety and protection will be provided by their respective mayors.
"Alam ko po na delikado, pero sinisiguro ko naman po na mahigpit tayo pagdating sa pagpapanatili ng kaligtasan ninyo, iyon po ang laging inuuna natin," Pineda assured.
Meanwhile, Provincial Health Officer Jose Antonio Rivera disclosed on Wednesday that the provincial government created a mobile application that will allow contact less interaction between the local health workers and contact-tracing persons.
"Sa tulong ng app na ito, maiiwasan natin ang pagkakaroon ng contact sa mga suspects sa pagfi-fill out ng forms. Mamimigay rin ang ating pamahalaang panlalawigan, sa pangunguna ni Governor Pineda, ng cellphones at tablets sa ating administrative workers sa health," said Rivera.
It can be recalled last July 31 that Pineda met with the local chief executives to discuss the plans and updates on the status of Covid-19 in the province, including the creation of the community isolation facilities in different cities and municipalities. (PR)