CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–With the various initiatives of the local government units (LGUs) to speed up contact tracing in the their areas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 urges the public to cooperate and show support to prevent and contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19.
During the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, November 13, DILG Regional Director Arnel Agabe said among the contact tracing methods of LGUs is the use of the quick response (QR) code.
“Ang atong mga LGUs naa’y mechanism, istratehiya para sa katong wala’y mga smart phone. Sa Cagayan de Oro, naa sila’y help desks
kung asa muadto kung wala’y smart phone. Tabangan ka mag-register ug i-print ang imong QR code,” Agabe added.
(Our LGUs have their own mechanism, strategy to handle those who do not have smart phones. In Cagayan de Oro, they have a help desk where these individuals could register and obtain a printout of their QR code)
The printout is just the same with the QR codes generated via smart phones.
They can be detected by the QR scanners used by establishments and offices in the areas implementing the use of such contact tracing mechanism.
“Magtinabangay ta sa pagkakaron given nga wala pa’y vaccine aron mas dali ang pag-conduct sa contact tracing.Mahibaw-an kung kinsa ang mga close contacts,” Agabe said.
(We have to help one another given that there is still no vaccine [for COVID-19] so we can speedily conduct the contact tracing. We can also identify the close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases)
As for awarding of LGUs that implement effective measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, Agabe said DILG still has no award system for such but it is being studied by the Central Office.
They are also checking on how they can effectively conduct the evaluation and assessment of various awards program of the department.
Realignment of LGU funds
On the realignment of LGU funds due to COVID-19, Agabe said among the expenses allowed for such include the procurement of PPEs, equipment, reagents, and kits for COVID-19 testing, medicines, hospital equipment and supplies, disinfectants, food, transportation and accommodation expenses of medical personnel and other LGU personnel;
Maintenance and repair of medical transport vehicle, food assistance for affected households, construction, repair or lease of spaces to handle COVID-19 patients, operation of COVID-19 testing, training of personnel in COVID-19 testing, and other COVID-19-related PPAs.
Also, DILG-10 prohibits the use of realigned LGU funds for cash assistance, personal services expenditures, administrative expenses, traveling expenses, registration or participation fees in training;
Purchase of administrative office’s furniture, purchase, maintenance of repair of vehicles, and other PPAs not related to COVID-19.
As of November 13, there are a total of 5,728 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in northern Mindanao, wherein 4,363 have recovered, 153 expired, and 1,212 are recovering. (RTP/PIA10)
