ABRA Governor Jocelyn Bernos urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to follow health protocols when entering the province to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Bernos in a social media post over the weekend asked authorized persons outside residences (Apors) to follow protocols on the heels of uncoordinated entry of two PNP officers who later turned out positive for the virus.
“Adda dagiti nagsasaruno nga ACs tayo dua kanyada ken PNP nga immay nagbakasyon ditoy abra nga nakadestino ti sabali nga probinsya nga un coordinated pay dagitoy sa mga LGUs (local government units) nila isu nga napakigtotan tayo manen,” Bernos said.
The incident pushed the governor to announce starting September 5, the provincial government will file necessary cases to Apors who will not follow protocols in the province, whether Covid-19-positive or -negative.
The governor reiterated Apors are not exempted from health and safety protocols.
“Haan kayo nga exempted kadagiti protocols ti probinsya tayo. Ammok ti iliw yo kadagiti pamilya yo, ngem mas nadeldelikado nga maakaran dagiti kapamilya ken dagiti dadduma nga ipatpateg yo no haan kau nga sumurot dagiti protocols nga mangsalwad kanyada,” added Bernos.
Bernos noted several Apors are among the Covid-19 positive cases reported in the province in the past days, some of them did not follow the protocols being implemented by the provincial government for incoming residents of Abra.
She said the provincial government welcomes Apors who come back home to the province to visit their loved ones or have a vacation after serving as frontliners in their areas of assignment. However, they are ordered to follow all guidelines imposed to ensure the safety of Abrenians.
“I dont single out Apors ngem sa experience natin, sikayo pay lang ti nasukir nga agipakpakat ti guidelines nga suruten dagiti kaprobinsyaan tayo. Kadagiti adda pamilya na nga umay agbakasyon, responsibilidad yo koma nga ibaga dagitoy nga protocols ken sikau payen ti mangipakaammo dita barangay ken municipio yo nga adda sumangpet adda agawid nga kapamilyaan yo. Haan nga gapu ta Apor kayo, abusuen yo ket ti privilege nga isu met pagsakitan ti kaaduanen,” Bernos explained.
Abra logged three new cases last week, AC-64, AC-65 and AC-66, with two from the PNP who failed to coordinate with their local government. A report from the Philippine Information Agency–Abra PNP Cordillera has yet to release a statement on the issue.