LA TRINIDAD, Benguet –Mayor Romeo K. Salda issued Administrative Order No. 001, series of 2020 crating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) task force in the municipality to be on guard for the possible threats of the dreaded virus to the town’s populace, especially when there will be proven local transmission in the future.
Under the aforesaid order, the task force will be composed of Executive Committee chaired by Mayor Salda with Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan and Municipal Health Officer Dr. Editha Francisco as vice chairpersons and to be composed of Councilor Guiller Galwan, Councilor Jason C. Dangwa, Councilor Charles Canuto, Municipal General Services Officer Dwight Daodao, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Mercedes Calpito, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Nora Ruiz, Benguet General Hospital (BGH) chief of hospital Dr. Melia Dulay, Dr. Virgina Biteng, Police Ma. Cleff Vencio, Fire Senior Inspector Mark Anthony Dangatan, Dr. Rosita Dy, Mr. Raiton Andres, Ms. Myanne Salda, Engr. Felipe Esnara, Mr. Jung Ho Ryo, and all punong barangays and a Secretariat to be composed of Mr. Roderick Chalres Chua, Mr. George Babsaay, Sherry-an Karry, and Glenda Ulep.
Based on the said order, the functions of the task force is to prepare a local COVID protection plan pursuant to the national COVID protection protocols incorporating more specific responsibilities that are within the scope of the municipal government; ensure the implementation of DOH protocols and guidelines and extend full cooperation to the DOH and other government agencies to meet the world heath emergency; recommend the enactment of appropriate ordinances defining measures or strategies that the municipal government may deem necessary; may call upon any department, bureau, office or agency or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, organizations, and the private sector for assistance as the circumstances and existence may require and monitor prices of medicines and COVID preventive gadgets and file charges gains boarding or overpricing.
Salda anchored the issuance of the said order on Section 16 of the Local government code of the Philippines which provide that local government units will be charged the promotion of the health and safety of the people.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a world health emergency due to the reported spread of the COVID-19 which claimed the lives of thousands of people round the world with 3 confirmed cases in the country.
He argued that in response to the growing concern over the outbreak of the COVID-19, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a Memorandum Circular providing guidelines to act against COVID and enjoining all local governments in the country to implement programs, projects and services for its prevention, containment and control.
The local chief executive underscored there is a need for the local government to create a task force composed of different committees to address he said concern and implement preventive, containment and control measure for the benefit of the health and safety of the people living in the 16 barangays.
By HENT