Tagbilaran City tests LSIs with PCR, even without symptoms

City Mayor John Geesnell “BABA” Yap is confident in tasking City Health Officer Dr. Jeia Pondoc to be on top of the testing and monitoring of the quarantined Overseeas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) from Tagbilaran.

In this connection, City Mayor Baba Yap said, “The City Government has allocated funds for the PCR testing of both the OFWs and LSIs. Although it is not required by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), we made sure that all incoming Tagbilaranons should be tested. This is to ensure that no local transmission would happen. Safety will always be our main priority, both for the returning Tagbilaranons and the local residents.”

CHO Officer Dr. Pondoc is literally the woman of the hour. Regular rounds in all the quarantine facilities are strictly conducted by her and her team not to forget the PCR testing activities conducted on 739 LSIs and OFWs. PCR tests were also administered to those exhibiting influenza-like symptoms, authorized persons outside residences including uniformed personnel, and asymptomatic and symptomatic health care workers who had close contact with a COVID-19 positive.

Dr. Pondoc said that every quarantine facility in Tagbilaran City is equipped with an area for PCR testing and swabbing. She also assured the Tagbilaranons that all medical personnel assigned in the testing activity are furnished with a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and are strictly observing hand hygiene. The data regarding the details of the testing are collected through phone calls to avoid exposure to the medical health worker who conducted the test.

Dr. Pondoc also gave assurance that those medical workers who have conducted the tests will be quarantined for 14 days, aside from the mandatory PCR testing. She stressed that once one is negative from the test, it does not mean that he/she cannot be infected with COVID anymore. Protocols like proper hand washing, social distancing, and wearing of face masks should still be strictly observed, Pondoc said.

To date, there are 6 active Covid cases in Tagbilaran City and all of them are asymptomatic. Out of the 6, have already recovered.

Mayor Yap expresses gratitude to DICT

Tagbilaran City is listed in the Digital Cities 2025 as announced by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), andLeechiu Property Consultants.

The cities are chosen based on 4 parameters: talent availability, infrastructure, cost, and business environment.These parameters are the indicators which gives the signal that the city is ready to attract investors in the IT business processing management industry.

The other 24 cities are Balanga City, Batangas City, Cabanatuan City, Dagupan City, General Santos City, Iligan City, Iriga City, Laguna Cluster (San Pablo, Calamba, and Los Baños), Laoag City, Legazpi City, Malolos City, Metro Cavite (Bacoor City, Imus, and General Trias) Metro Rizal (Taytay, Cainta, and Antipolo City), Olongapo City, Puerto Princesa City Roxas City, San Fernando City, La Union, San Fernando City, Pampanga, San Jose Del Monte City, Tacloban City, Tarlac City, Tuguegarao City, Urdaneta City, and Zamboanga City.

According to the statement released by DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II, the Digital Cities 2025 is targeted to build the resiliency of the IT-BPM sector as an engine of growth for the Philippine economy. It is also hoped that it would bridge industry progress in the countryside to strengthen local economies.

Honasan said that these 25 new locations, alongside with the Centers of Excellence and established Next Wave Cities, will serve as investment destinations for a thriving digital economy. Despite the impact of the recent pandemic on the Philippines’ economy and business environment, both the public and private sectors are looking for ways to continue moving forward. The Digital Cities 2025 initiative aims to bring the country a step closer towards becoming a more digitally-enabled nation, a prime investment destination that is both relevant and globally competitive.

Tagbilaran City releases salon, barbershop opening guidelines

Through the Office of the City Administrator CathelynTorremocha, the City Government of Tagbilaran has just issued the list of minimum requirements for the opening of barbershops and salons.

The list issued by the city is based on the guidelines set by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Some of the salient points about these guidelines include the following: owners of these establishments are mandated to submit proof of compliance by submitting pictures to the City Administrator’s Office within a period of 10 (ten) days after the receipt of the notice; all barbershops and salons will post signages regarding the use of face masks, social distancing; customers are prohibited from bringing unnecessary companions; alcohol should be placed at the entrance of the salon/barbershop along with a foot bath disinfectant; the guard should check all the temperature of all clients / individuals entering the establishment with the use of a thermal scanner; certain protocols should also be in place like:

  • distancing of chairs – at least 1 meter apart from the next chair,
  • visible markings to guide the clients
  • proper ventilation
  • courtesy booth where all the personal effects of the clients will be deposited
  • sanitizing equipment and tools
  • plastic-covered furniture
  • proper disposal of waste
  • regular disinfection of the business establishment which includes includes the sterilization of the work stations before and after each service.
  • use of cashless payment is also encouraged.
  • Observance of specific employee protocols

According to reports, DTI will also strictly monitor the imposition of the following in salons and barbershops:

  • employees with COVID-19 symptoms
  • prohibition to report for work of employees exposed to COVID-19 patients .
  • prohibition of the wearing of any piece of jewelry
  • observance of employees’ proper personal hygiene,
  • mandatory wearing of face masks, face shields, eyeglasses or googles, hair caps, and closed shoes.

Business owners are also mandated to fill out the Workplace Health Contingency Plan and the forms can be secured at the City Administrator’s Office.

A joint inspection team from the City Government and the DTI will be conducting an inspection on all business establishments, and failure to comply with the guidelines can be the basis for the suspension of the business operation.

City Mayor John Geesnell “BABA” Yap remains optimistic that the local economy can bounce back from this pandemic,

“We will move forward and look ahead to the promise of a bright future. We will not be saddled with fear, instead we will all strive to follow the safety guidelines issued by the national government. These measures will help us to be mindful and vigilant of our safety. We need to help each other fight this invisible enemy; we will not allow it to cripple our local economy,” Yap said.