CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 calls for the Punong Barangays to actively mobilize their Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) in monitoring arrivals of their constituents, especially those coming from areas with confirmed with coronavirus infectious disease (COVID)-19 cases.
“Karon, gikinahanglan nato ang paningkamot sa atong mga BHERTs nga mamonitor ang atong mga kasilinganan nga gikan sa mga nasud o lugar nga apektado sa COVID-19, ug labot na ani ang mga gikan sa Metro Manila (We now need the efforts of our BHERTs to monitor our constituents coming from countries or areas affected by COVID-19, and this includes those coming from Metro Manila),” said DILG 10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe.
What to expect from the Punong Barangays via BHERTs
Agabe urged the BHERTs, through the leadership of the punong barangays, to ensure that they will be able to advise and assist their constituents in undergoing quarantine measures.
With this, the department emphasizes that the BHERTs shall ‘strictly’ implement and monitor the 14-day quarantine of persons arriving from COVID-19 affected areas, in coordination with proper authorities.
Through the support of the local government units, Barangay Isolation Units (BIUs) should be made available, serving as a temporary facility within the barangay where person arriving from a place with confirmed COVID-19 case.
“Our BHERTs are expected to conduct visits in the home of every person arriving from affected areas. This is one way to gather necessary information and encourage the person to come to the BIU or voluntarily undergo home confinement for not less than 14 days,” Agabe said, basing on the DILG Memorandum on the Guides to Action Against Coronavirus.
Although there is a need to actively mobilize the BHERTs, the regional director reminded them to ensure that the visits are still carried out in a very discreet and courteous manner.
Moreover, the BHERTs shall report daily to the punong barangay on the condition of the PUI, including the actions and measures taken.
‘Disiplina Muna’ for every citizen
“If a person is manifesting symptoms, we also encourage them to voluntarily submit themselves for check-up, screening and voluntary quarantine for purposes of the prescribed 14-day observation period,” Agabe reiterated.
He added that now is the best time to practice “Disiplina Muna,” encouraging citizens to do their part in the containment of COVID-19 the soonest time possible—and this includes staying at home as much as possible, taking care of one’s health, and even advising their family and friends to submit for check-up or voluntary quarantine, if deemed necessary. (DILG10/PIA10)
