Angeles village chiefs air sentiments vs PRI hospital
ANGELES CITY — Barangay chairmen in this city has expressed their sentiment against the Philippine Rehabilitation Institute Medical Center (PRIMC) for allegedly accepting suspected COVID 19 patients from Metro Manila on March 27 without coordinating first with the city government .
Jeremias M. Alejandrino, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in the city, should have informed the local government unit for admitting persons under investigation (PUIs).
Alejandrino clarified that they are not against the hospital procedures in terms of COVID 19 patient admission. However, the village chief stressed that should observe protocols to allow city and barangay officials institute measures to protect their constituents of the deadly corona virus.
The Liga ng Mga Barangay head claimed that barangay officials felt that they were decieved by the medical center because of its action.
"We are not against the admission of the patients per se. We are merely expressing our sentiments against PRI for deceitfully withholding information regarding the admittance of a COVID 19 patient from Quezon Ciy," Alejandrino said in Kapampangan.
During their session on March 31, 2020, Alejandrino said the Liga ng mga Barangay passed a resolution airing their sentiment against the hospi t al .
The incident had caused widespread panic among citizens of the city, according to the barangay official.
PRIMC allegedly violated the Memorandum of Agreement it forged with city government.
For its part, the PRIMC management belied accusations that it admitted patients without the knowledge of the city government officials.
After admitting the patients, the hospital claimed that it immediately informed the local government.
The patients arrived at PRI's emergency room on board their private vehicles, according to the hospital management. "PRI did not in any way aid or facilitate the travel of the pat i ent s."
The medical center also denied reports that Dr. Pio Lim did not answer the calls of Mayor Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin Jr.
"Dr. Lim received only one call during that period -- a call from Dr Froilan Canlas. He (Lim) was able to answer the call but had to cut it short because he was about to revive and administer CPR to the COVID 19 patient from Quezon City," the PRIMC added.
The medical center assured that its administrative staff, health workers, and doctors are all safe and were not directly to the suspected COVID 19 patients.
"All our frontliners were in full PPE gear and all DOH safety protocols were implemented. The Angeles City community was never endangered," the PRIMC said.