Military troops deployed vs COVID
Navy teams will assist the police in enforcing MECQ rules
The Philippine Navy deployed troops to assist in the enforcement of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) protocols in Metro Manila and four high-risk provinces.
Navy teams were sent out starting Tuesday, the first day of MECQ, to aid other law enforcers in ensuring the strict implementation of quarantine rules to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Troops conduct regular patrol of all sea entry points as well as man airports, swabbing facilities and other quarantine-controlled areas, vowing to double their efforts to help the national government.
The National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal will be under MECQ until 18 August, a result of medical frontliners asking for stricter quarantine status for two weeks to hopefully lessen the load of hospitals.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), meanwhile, is set to open a quarantine facility for its personnel in September. The facility can accommodate at least 200.
PCG commandant Admiral George Ursabia said in a statement that including medical staff, the facility will be good for about 250 people.
“Through God’s intervention and blessing, finally, we pursue this project. In 30 days, it will be realized, once and for all,” Ursabia said.
Container vans will be used to construct the isolation facility. It will be equipped with sewerage, electrical and air conditioning systems, as well as an entertainment facility.
The P35-million budget for the quarantine facility will be acquired from the 2019 capital outlay and 2020 Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses budget of the PCG as well as from the financial aid of the Department of Budget and Management.
So far, the PCG has a total of 676 confirmed cases, with 530 recoveries. The remaining cases are asymptomatic.