THE capital town of Bontoc in Mountain Province is closely observing some 200 persons under monitoring (PUMs) for Covid-19.
Mayor Franklin Odsey said of the 200 cases, 30 individuals were categorized as persons under investigation (PUI) with others still being observed while two have recovered and were discharged from the Luis Hora Memorial Hospital.
“As of the moment, we still do not have any deaths recorded in relation to the coronavirus. We have minimal PUIs and even PUMs and our PUMs have not reach 300,” Odsey said.
Meanwhile, distribution and relief operations for those identified as poorest of the poor in the municipality started after an identification process conducted by the barangay captains.
“The municipal government have started to give relief goods by instructing barangay captains to head the distribution because they would know who needs this most because this is by priority based on standards set by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) together with the municipal social welfare monitoring team which were the basis of the barangay captains to distribute the relief goods to our constituents who are within the poverty line,” the municipal chief executive said.
The local government has bought rice and sardines, adding to the 20 cavans of rice provided by Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr. which were distributed to barangays based on the poverty standards set by the DSWD.
“What we want to tell the people of Bontoc is to follow the standards and guidelines issued by the national government with local conditions added under the Inter Agency Task Force so that the municipality of Bontoc would not be affected by this coronavirus because as of now, we still do not have a cure for this virus,” said the mayor.
Strict checkpoints have also been set-up at entry and exit points in the Mountain Province’s capital town.
“So far as Bontoc Municipality is concerned, our exit and entry or the eight o’clock p.m. to eight o’clock a.m. entry is still in effect. Vehicles coming in and going out of the municipality is not allowed except for emergency cases and cargo trucks with complete documents ferrying essentials for Bontoc,” Odsey added.
The municipal government is now in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways for the setup of a disinfection area for vehicles coming in and out of the town.