Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has tapped the barangay tanod (village watchmen) in securing residences converted into home quarantine hubs.
In a report over the weekend by Sugbu News, the Capitol’s official news site, Garcia said village watchmen will help ensure that patients in isolation on suspicion of being infected with the novel coronavirus acute respiratory diseases (2019-nCoV ARD) complete the mandatory 14-day seclusion period.
Garcia’s decision to make village-level monitoring against the viral disease was announced during her visit to Medellin last February 7.
“In case an OFW is under home quarantine in your village, you should assist in monitoring them. Let’s help one another just like how we help each other in combating the African swine fever," Garcia told the 1,554 village watchmen who attended the distribution of assistance.
She said the watchmen will coordinate with members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in stopping a patient who is under quarantine from leaving until the prescribed isolation period is over.
Municipal health officers and barangay health workers, she said, can also tap the aid of the watchmen in supervising persons under quarantine.
The governor said barangay tanod members can also help the government in preventing the spread of unverified information about 2019-nCoV ARD and correct the notions in their respective communities about the viral disease.
Garcia also denied reports that Medellin town is being considered to become a holding or evacuation center for people suspected of being infected with the 2019-nCoV.
During her visit to the said town, watchmen from the municipality as well as from San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Tabuelan, and Tabogon received from the provincial government increased cash incentives of PHP3,000 from the previous PHP1,500 as well as group accident insurance from the Government Service Insurance System.
They also received Government Working for Emergency Network (GWEN) kits that include a whistle, a cudgel, and a tool case for various devices.
Source: PNA
