Mayor: Proper coordination key in beating Covid-19

MARIVELES, Bataan -- The municipal government of Mariveles cited proper coordination as key in flattening the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) curve.

In a press briefing with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Mayor Jocelyn Castañeda attributed the local government’s coordination with the provincial government of Bataan and Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) as primary factor in the lowering of cases in her town.

“As of September 30, we were able to record a total of 333 active COVID-19 cases from a high of more than a thousand cases. We already have a total of 757 recoveries and we are looking forward to sustain this downward trend in our positive cases,” Castañeda said.

The local chief executive added that the 14-day lockdown in nine barangays with clustering of cases proved to be effective, which she said was done through the encouragement of the provincial gover nment .

“We have a very good coordination with the province and AFAB during the 14-day lockdown from the distribution of relief goods, to the mass testing inside freeport, the barangays, and market; as well as the isolation and quarantine. As a result, we were able to bring down our cases to about 50 percent in the last two weeks,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Castañeda added that the municipal government’s coordination with AFAB helped them track where the virus is.

“Through our coordination and joint effort with AFAB to exchange data with companies regarding workers who tested positive for COVID-19, we were able to keep track of the virus. This helped a lot in setting the right direction for our response efforts,” she said.

Based on the list from AFAB, the mayor said that the municipal health office was able to issue permits to qualified workers who reside in the barangays under lockdown.

However, despite this coordination, Castañeda also appealed for the cooperation of constituents to sustain this downward trend.

“We believe that if we will engage the participation of our constituents, if they adapt to the health protocols and implement minimum health requirements, we believe that we can win our fight against COVID-19,” she said. (PIA 3)

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