AFAB cites coronavirus disease response efforts

MARIVELES, Bataan-- Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) highlighted Thursday its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response efforts.

“When the pandemic hit us, we have partnered with the local government and national government agencies, as well as private companies, to initiate actions that will help us contain the spread of the disease inside the freeport,” AFAB Administrator Emmanuel Pineda said during a press briefing with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Specifically, the authority coordinated with FAB locator companies and the local government in the conduct of mass testing for workers in the Freeport.

“Because of this, we were able to identify asymptomatic cases and immediately isolate them to prevent the further spread of the virus,” Pineda said.

In terms of quarantine facilities, AFAB converted a three-storey housing facility intended for workers as a temporary isolation facility.

“This facility has 111 rooms. In addition, we allocate another building to our locators in response to the Department of Labor and Employment’s requirement for them to have mandatory isolation facilities totaling to another 96 beds,” the administrator said.

Currently, AFAB also has two Philippine Red Cross tents with 16 bed capacity including eight for males and eight for females.

“As a result of our coordination and with the support of the provincial government, we were also able to acquire two negative pressure tents with a total of 20-bed capacity,” Pineda said.

To sustain its efforts in eradicating COVID-19 in the Freeport, AFAB also designated health screening facilities for workers and visitors to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

In terms of reintegration, AFAB also strengthened its partnership with different stakeholders to ensure economic recovery.

“The pandemic affected our economic activities here, but with the help of our partners, we are slowly opening up. In fact, 83 out of the 97 companies here are now operational. Also, 20,000 out of the 46,000 workers have returned to work,” Pineda said.

In terms of coordination with the municipal government, AFAB said it provides list to the municipal health office to allow qualified workers to go back to work as part of its economic recovery plans.

“Because of our efforts, we have reported 209 recoveries so far, with only 34 active cases,” the administrator said.

However, despite these efforts, he called on all their partners to continue their collaboration in order to beat the COVID-19 pandemic.

---(PIA-3)