Sorsogon State College turns into quarantine center
THE Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has approved the establishment of the Sorsogon State College (SSC) as the first provincial quarantine center in the Bicol Region for coronavirus patients.
This is in response to the increasing number of persons under observation (PUMs), persons under investigation (PUIs) and those found positive for the coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19).
On its Facebook, the Department of Health Center for Health Development in Bicol confirmed 7 Covid-10 cases as of 10 a.m. of April 1 — four in Albay and three in Camarines Sur.
On March 29, it posted there were 17 PUIs admitted in healthcare facilities and 105,566 PUMs.
“The creation of this provincial quarantine center through CHEd-LGU-SSC collaboration is a blueprint that other LGUs (local government units) can now use to prepare for the continuing Covid-19 pandemic,” CHEd Chairman J. Prospero “Popoy” de Vera said.
“We can succeed only if national government agencies work with LGUs, as instructed by the President, without red tape, in the spirit of partnership,” he added.
The Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease on March 24 stated that all LGUs that plan to use the facilities of state universities and colleges (SUCs) need to enter a memorandum of agreement with the CHEd and the SUC.
“I commend SSC under the very able leadership of President Helen R. Lara for opening its doors to PUIs and PUMs and allowing the use of its facilities as quarantine areas,” SSC Chairman of the Board Commissioner Aldrin Darilag said.
“With the leadership and cooperation between CHEd Chairman Popoy de Vera and Sorsogon Gov. [Francis] Chiz Escudero, we were able to finalize an agreement that will allow the use of SSC’s premises as a quarantine center,” he added.
SSC President Helen Lara expressed her optimism on the initiative as the community will extend its support to the provincial government. “It is a strong statement and manifestation of the College community that we are actively joining the fight against this invisible and deadly enemy and we will continue to do so until we contain the same,” she said.