NEW BUSINESS IN TIME OF THE PANDEMIC. City Mayor John Geesnell “BABA” Yap together with Poblacion II Barangay Captain, Dr. Allan Ricardo Real and owner Joanna Marie Rementizo led the ribbon cutting and opening of Bohol Aromacology Sensi, an outlet that sells botanical based skin care products. Bohol Aromacology Sensi is located at #2 Remolador Street,Brgy. Poblacion II, Tagbilaran City.
Tagbilaran City conducts water rescue simulation exercises
Last August 7, 2020, the Tagbilaran CDRRMO conducted a Water Search and Rescue Simulation Exercise (WASAR SIMEX). The SIMEX was meant to assess the readiness and capabilities of both the CDRRMO’s SRR Team and EMS, in maritime incidents that may occur during the COVID-19 pandemic. The activity was evaluated by the Philippine Coast Guard and observed also by the PNP Maritime Group. The rescuers were trained by the Philippine Coast Guard last year. CDRMM Action Officer Gerard Lavadia said more than 50 participants consisting of unit heads served as the Incident Management Team, selected staff also acted as LSI passengers, along with the WASAR and Emergency Medical Services Team. The scenario for the water search and rescue simulation exercise is a capsized vessel loaded with LSIs near Tagbilaran City. The Philippine Coast Guard, the police and the Bureau of Fire Protection were on hand to assist in the exercise.
Lavadia said the objectives of the activity is to enhance camaraderie among the different rescue units from the barangays and to improve their skills in water safety. The activity will further hone the skills of the trained rescuers, it will also review the rescuers training and determine new operational protocols in WASAR during this COVID-19 pandemic.
YOUTH LIFE SKILLS TRAINING. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in partnership with the City Youth Development Office will conduct the Basic Life Support, Standard First Aid Training and COVID-19 Awareness Symposium for the Sangguniang Kabataan of Tagbilaran City. The activity will be done per batch to avoid crowding the venue. Each batch will consist of 10 participants and there will be only 5 participants per barangay. This is to observe extreme safety precautions and health protocols. The City Government of Tagbilaran will continue to educate the youth amidst the on-going pandemic. The following health protocols will be strictly followed such as the wearing of face mask, sanitizing of materials, disinfecting the venue, 1 table per participant, social distancing, avoiding personal contact, checking of temperature, and medical personnel on standby.
Tagbilaran City prepares a COVID-19 recovery plan
Despite the pandemic, Tagbilaran City is hopeful for the future. In fact, a series of planning sessions are currently being conducted to come up with a recovery plan which aims to rebuild confidence and seek ways to adapt to the new normal. Assisted by Dr. Rosalinda Paredes of the USAID-SURGE and Arch. Liza Macalandag, the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) served as the secretariat of the Technical Working Group (TWG). The CPDO led by Engr. Estella Margate would be responsible in documenting the proceedings of meetings, facilitates sectoral sessions, and data gathering. City Mayor John Geesnell “BABA” Yap heads the TWG, supported by the various department heads in the City and private stakeholders from the business, academe, and non-governmental organizations. The TWG has the main responsibilities of assessing the risks and vulnerabilities of Tagbilaran City in the midst of COVID-19; review the level of preparedness and response interventions in managing the risks; assess the challenges and impacts to the economy, environment, infrastructure, and social sector. The TWG will formulate the sectoral strategies and plans to enable the City to recover and respond from the impact of the COVID-19 and come up with a Local Economy Re-Start Plan as required by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). Mayor Yap recognizes the importance of a recovery roadmap, “Given the negative impacts brought about by the pandemic to our employees, to our students, to our businesses, and to our families, it is imperative that we should plan and analyze our options. We do not know when this pandemic will end, we are not given a timeline. Thus, we need all the ideas to craft a plan that will reshape our strategy to ensure resilience in situations like COVID-19. A plan that would capacitate every sector to rise up and move forward”, Yap said.