Tacloban starts to be sanitized as quarantine takes effect
Published Mar 22, 2020 12:00 am
By Marie Tonette Marticio
TACLOBAN CITY – A group of businessmen and fire volunteers have launched a cleanup drive to disinfect the near-empty streets and public market in order to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on the first day of the imposition of restrictive quarantine here.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ VIA MARIE MARTICIO/ MANILA BULLETIN
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte (PCCI), in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Tacloban, Central Tacloban Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade, Delta Volunteer Fire Brigade, and Tacloban Fil-Chinese Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade will be sanitizing the streets of 138 barangays for two to three weeks.
PCCI President Eugene Tan said they have pooled their resources to be able to buy the disinfectants and sling back sprayers that would be used by the fire volunteers, as their contribution in the fight against COVID-19.
Almost all businesses were ordered to close temporarily by the city government except for restaurants which only accept take-out orders and other essential establishments such as hospitals, gasoline stations, and media outlets.
Although Tacloban remains COVID-19 free, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has also stepped up its efforts in mitigating the spread of the deadly virus.
CDRRMO Head Ildebrando Bernadas said prior to the effectivity of the intensified restrictions, they have already prepositioned food assistance as well as emergency and rescue materials to be utilized for the quarantine period.
Aside from the checkpoints identified by the local government, they also ordered all barangays to set up their own border points to regulate the movement of people within their respective communities.
Bernadas appeals for the cooperation and honesty of the public to contain the spread of the disease.
"Give us your cooperation...everything is being set for the safety of all. We can survive if we observe these health protocols such as washing of hands, wearing protective equipment, and social distancing," the official noted.
As of Friday afternoon, the city has recorded 25 patients under investigation (PUIs), five of whom are confined in a hospital, while 10 are under strict home-quarantine. It also has 1,782 persons under monitoring (PUMs).
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ VIA MARIE MARTICIO/ MANILA BULLETIN
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte (PCCI), in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Tacloban, Central Tacloban Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade, Delta Volunteer Fire Brigade, and Tacloban Fil-Chinese Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade will be sanitizing the streets of 138 barangays for two to three weeks.
PCCI President Eugene Tan said they have pooled their resources to be able to buy the disinfectants and sling back sprayers that would be used by the fire volunteers, as their contribution in the fight against COVID-19.
Almost all businesses were ordered to close temporarily by the city government except for restaurants which only accept take-out orders and other essential establishments such as hospitals, gasoline stations, and media outlets.
Although Tacloban remains COVID-19 free, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has also stepped up its efforts in mitigating the spread of the deadly virus.
CDRRMO Head Ildebrando Bernadas said prior to the effectivity of the intensified restrictions, they have already prepositioned food assistance as well as emergency and rescue materials to be utilized for the quarantine period.
Aside from the checkpoints identified by the local government, they also ordered all barangays to set up their own border points to regulate the movement of people within their respective communities.
Bernadas appeals for the cooperation and honesty of the public to contain the spread of the disease.
"Give us your cooperation...everything is being set for the safety of all. We can survive if we observe these health protocols such as washing of hands, wearing protective equipment, and social distancing," the official noted.
As of Friday afternoon, the city has recorded 25 patients under investigation (PUIs), five of whom are confined in a hospital, while 10 are under strict home-quarantine. It also has 1,782 persons under monitoring (PUMs).