Senator calls for more quarantine facilities across nation
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has called anew for more quarantine facilities in every region of the country as he urged fellow lawmakers to support Senate Bill (SB) 1529, or the “Mandatory Quarantine Facilities Act of 2020,” which he filed in May.
“If we have ready facilities for this kind of crisis or disaster, it would be faster and we could effectively protect the health of our fellow Filipinos. The proposed measure filed aims to address this need and establish quarantine facilities all throughout the country,” said Go, chairman of the Senate Health and Demography committee, during a public hearing.
“By isolating infected people in proper quarantine facilities, we will help prevent the further spread of any infectious disease,” he added.
The bill will direct the Department of Health (DoH) to identify locations in co-ordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units (LGUs).
The Health department will operate, supervise and manage the facilities, which in turn will be equipped with a competent medical staff, adequate food and clothing. Go welcomed efforts by Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Second District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr to gather support for the counterpart bill, House Bill 7005 or the “Mandatory Quarantine Facilities Act of 2020.”
On June 29, Cagayan de Oro Second District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Surigao del Norte Second District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang expressed support for the measure. Bataan First District Rep. Geraldine Roman said the measure was “long overdue,” adding that had the system been implemented from the beginning, the country would have “avoided the over-saturation of returning OFWs in Metro Manila and the delays they encountered.”
Quezon City Second District Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo and Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon also voiced their support.
Go earlier recommended additional action be taken to improve the country’s pandemic response. He filed SB 1226, also known as the “DoH Hospital Bed Capacity and Service Capability Rationalisation Act,” which aims to provide a more efficient process to improve the service capability of public hospitals.