QUEZON CITY, Philippines – After the Department of Health (DOH) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recently announced their preparations against an Ebola infection in the Philippines, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on all local chief executives to stay calm but be prepared for any possibility.
“Mabuti nang lagi tayong handa, laging alisto sa anomang posibilidad kaysa magsisi tayo sa huli (It’s better to be prepared for any possibility than be sorry in the end.),” Roxas remarked.
AFP has previously announced that 110 peacekeepers from Liberia, one of the countries with the highest number of Ebola victims, will be quarantined in an undisclosed “paradise island” somewhere in Luzon for 3 weeks, during which, tests will be conducted under the supervision of the DOH.
The DOH for its part has formed specially-trained rapid response teams composed of two medical doctors, a medical technologist and nurses, to be deployed in various parts of the country to train local health workers.
“Local government units (LGUs) must keep their communication lines open at all times so they can coordinate with us and other agencies for a more effective response,” the secretary declared.
He also urged LGUs to be ready in assisting agencies in quarantine protocols.
“We cannot afford to risk the lives of our constituents because of insincerity, carelessness and lack of safeguards. Everyone will have to be on board and get ready to be mobilized,” he ended.
