The ground commander of the Provincial Emergency Management Administration (PEMA) airs his side on the various issues regarding the province’s handling of matters related to Covid 19.
In a statement sent to The Bohol Tribune yesterday, Alfonso Damalerio II clears the air on certain issues.
In his statement, he said “while we know that there are thousands of Boholanos who have manifested their need to come home to Bohol, the Provincial Emergency Management Administration (PEMA) created the Offshore Boholanos Coordinating Team (OBCT) tasked to communicate, assist and validate stranded Boholanos from different provinces outside of Bohol, of which who are qualified, were given financial assistance. As of this day, the Provincial Government has extended financial aid worth almost PHP 13M.”
He added, “when the National Government through the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) issued Resolution No. 32 Series of 2020 implementing guidelines for OFWs and LSIs who wish to go home to their provinces and an Executive Order No. 114 dated May 6, 2020 issued by the President through the Executive Secretary, implementing guidelines for Balik Probinsya Program, it was when Gov. Art Yap conducted meetings with TWG Medical Cluster and some PEMA members in considering the amendment of Executive No. 8 – the No-Sail Policy Order, to allow LSIs to travel back to Bohol provided that they have complied all the requirements set by TWG Medical Cluster and PEMA.”
Damalerio further narrated, “all the guidelines and requirements set by PEMA are in pursuant to SP Ordinance 007– 2020, particularly subsections two and four of Section 8, assuring the compliance of safety standards of all persons going to Bohol while under the state of General Community Quarantine.”
In his statement Damalerio said “the following dates show our various activities during the formulation process:
May 13, 2020 – Gov. Art Yap presided a meeting with TWG Medical Cluster and PEMA to set the guidelines and protocols with modifications for LSIs, consistent with the IATF.
May 15, 2020 – Gov. Art Yap presided a meeting with all the Municipal Mayors of Bohol at the Provincial Capitol. Provincial Administrator – Kathyrin Pioquinto and PEMA Administrator – Alfonso Damalerio II, presented to the Mayors the steps and procedures to be followed in strict compliance of IATF guidelines in receiving LSIs. In the same meeting, the Mayors passed a resolution (in mass) that they had a unanimous decision in accepting LSIs, their local constituents and that they will be responsible in overseeing the mandatory quarantine procedures to be managed by their Local Government Unit.
May 16, 2020 – As PEMA Administrator together with the PEMA Secretariat, we presented to all LSI LGU Coordinators the process management flow of returning Boholanos. Also present were two Philippine Coast Guard Commanders from the Eastern and Western Command.
May 17, 2020 – PEMA – Bohol Primer published guidelines and protocols for public awareness, including the establishment of an email account, pema2020@gmail.com for those who wish to submit online with PDRRMO as the secretariat and coordinating center.
May 18, 2020 – PEMA Command Conference occurred with all cluster directors and the new PNP Provincial Director, PCol. Joselito Clarito in attendance, discussing the guidelines and protocols for LGU Coordination and the PNP’s role in securing the local quarantine facilities.
May 19, 2020 – As PEMA Administrator, I presented to Acting-Vice Gov. Victor Balite and Members of the Provincial Board during the pre-session conference, the management guidelines for LSIs for their information and reference.
May 20, 2020 – TWG Medical Cluster Head, Dr. Yul Lopez on PGBH Online Updates disseminated the procedures for LSIs for public information.
May 21, 2020 – Dr. Yul Lopez was once again interviewed by DYRD at 9:30 A.M. and DYTR at 5:00 P.M. with the same information dissemination for public awareness.
May 21, 2020 – Gov. Art Yap, PA Kathyrin Pioquinto, PPA Port Manager – Engr. James Gantalao, CAAP Panglao Airport Safety Manager – Angelo Ybaniez and I, had a meeting at the Governor’s Office to ensure compliance of safety procedures upon arrival of LSIs at the seaports and airport.”
The ground commander said, “to conclude, PEMA under the leadership of Gov. Art Yap, has taken the necessary initiatives to formulate the proper procedures of receiving LSIs, with consultation from the TWG Medical Cluster and Local Government Units and in line with the National Agencies”
He also said that “we assure the public that there is no such thing as “palusot”. Everything must be strictly complied and any breach of protocol shall be subjected to investigation. Prior to boarding from their port of origin and prior to disembarkation to their port of arrival, the port management and security will not allow them to go out without an LGU vehicle and assigned committee to fetch and bring them to their quarantine facility so that they will be properly accounted.”
In conclusion, Damalerio said, “we have disseminated public information in various platforms to increase awareness about such procedures. Should you have questions or inquiries about the entire process or the receiving of newly-returned LSIs and OFWs, you may proceed to PEMA Coordinating Center at the Provincial Capitol”