NegOr boosts inter-agency task force vs COVID-19

NEGROS ORIENTAL, March 27 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Negros Oriental has strengthened its inter-agency task force (IATF) against coronavirus to identify needed logistics, security, and committee tasking including possible worst case situation.

As chair of the task force, Gov. Roel Degamo said the creation of the IATF thru the executive order would focus in addressing the pressing crisis the country as well the province is facing on COVID 19.

For the EO to be functional, the governor said the task force should perform and harmonize its efforts to contain the spread of the disease. 

The multi-sectoral task force committees mapped out strategies and identified necessary measures to prevent and respond to any potential epidemic in the province.

The committee on health services and quarantine, composed of the medical and health practitioners in the province including all the hospitals that will attend to cases of COVID-19, is chaired by Dr. Liland Estacion of Integrated Provincial Health Office and co-chaired by Negros Oriental Medical Society President Dr. Mansueto Gumban.

The provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) heads the committee on law enforcement and peace and order with members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that security and peace and order shall prevail in the province and prevent anarchy, chaos, and civil disobedience.

The committee shall be in charge of the strict implementation of the laws, policies, executive orders and other issuances relative to COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases.

Degamo cited that persons violating any rules shall be apprehended for proper charging and municipalities and cities also disregarding it shall be reported to the Secretary of DILG for proper action.

For food security committee, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will do a joint inspection of marketplace or business traders and pharmacies to control hoarding and overpricing.

For businesses found violating the rules during entrapment operation, the agencies concerned will assign an individual that will handle the complaints and application for search warrant.

The governor suggested that barangay officials will be furnished a list of commodities so they can help check their basic goods daily to sustain the operation.

The local DTI official presented that under Price Act 7581, the law covers the implementation of an automatic price freeze once in a state of emergency is declared.

DTI has set the price freeze for commodities they cover such as canned fish, processed milk, coffee, instant noodles, detergent, candles, salt, potable water, laundry soap, and bread. 

On the other hand, covered under DA’s price freeze are rice, corn, cooking oil, sugar, fish, egg, beef and poultry, fresh milk, fresh pork, fresh vegetables and root crops.

DENR oversees firewood and charcoal, while DOH monitors the supplies of alcohol and face masks. 

The transportation committee is led by Dante Uymatiao, proprietor of Maayo Shipping, Inc. (MSI) and Martin Matiao Transport Services, Inc. (MMTSI) to support the continued flow of essential goods and supplies, especially medicines to Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental.

“It's our duty to help meet needs and prevent shortages of goods and supplies in the best way we can, and in full observance of government policies and measures amid COVID-19,” said Uymatiao in a Facebook post. 

While for information and dissemination, the provincial information officer heads this committee with the assistance of IPHO and Philippine Information Agency. (jct/PIA7 Negros Oriental)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1037057