Gov. Dennis Pineda: Pampanga is ready to accept OFWs from virus-hit countries
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Pampanga Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda has assured that the provincial government is ready to accommodate returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from virus-hit countries, like China.
“We are very much willing to help OFWs who are returning from novel coronavirus-affected areas, as well as individuals with travel history who are voluntarily going on self-quarantine,” the young governor declared.
He assured that the province is prepared for such an accommodation, saying the province has the right quarantine facilities identified by the Department of Health (DOH), as well as trained personnel to handle the cases.
He added that it also has adequate funds to provide needed additional facilities and equipment to better handle possible cases.
“For those who will undergo the 14-day quarantine, we will provide them with the right facility in coordination with the DOH, Bureau of Quarantine [BOQ] and the Jose B. Lingad [JBL] Regional Medical Center,” Pineda said.
The governor also said there is no problem when it comes to monitoring of patients under investigation, or PUIs, since hospitals in Pampanga are capable of hosting them.
Meanwhile, he added that OFWs with symptoms of the virus will be brought directly to the JBL Regional Medical Center here.
The governor assured the public that there is no cause for alarm because the province is in full control of the situation, despite the number of PUIs reported in the region.
Pineda also expressed confidence that until the end of the month, the number of PUIs in the region will not increase since the Clark International Airport had already banned flights to and from China, and its special administrative regions, starting last Sunday.
In a related development, the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (Lipad), which operates and maintains the Clark International Airport said in a news statement issued on Thursday that they are ready in terms of procedural readiness.
However, Lipad spokesman Teri Flores said, “we are still awaiting instructions from the Department of Health and Department of Foreign Affairs. Hopefully, we can have the final details today [Thursday],” she added.
The Lipad statement said the management of Clark International Airport (IATA code: CRK) met on Wednesday (February 5, 2020), together with representatives from the BOQ, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Air Force to discuss the news published in several media outlets regarding the repatriation of Filipinos coming from China.
It added that “CRK is prepared to put together the necessary arrangements as soon as we get the directive from the government regarding this event. As of today, all agencies present in the meeting are still waiting for final instructions from their superiors.”
Meantime, about 100 health workers in the province were trained on how to respond and manage possible cases of the Wuhan coronavirus.
Medical personnel from the different district hospitals, and health representatives from Angeles City and Clark Development Corp., who will serve as frontline personnel when the need arises, were trained with the basic knowledge and protocols to assist patients who will be infected with the virus.
Pampanga Provincial Health Officer Marcelo Jaochico said the training will, likewise, give participants the knowledge they could use in treating and managing other epidemic diseases.
During the training, group team leader Jay Rivera assured the participants that all necessary equipment and assistance would be provided by the provincial government.
“The provincial government has committed to provide all your personal protective equipment, like gloves, N95 masks, gowns, and goggles for your safety and protection,” he said.