SIYUDAD NG MALOLOS—Bukas na muli nitong Lunes ang opisina ng Tanglaw Pag-asa Bulacan provincial juvenile facility matapos maka-recover na lahat mula sa COVID 19 ang 95 mga residente nito o mga detinado kabilang ang siyam na social welfare employees at mga guwardiya ng Capitolyo.

Ayon kay Jay Mark Chico, hepe ng Tanglaw Pag-asa balik operasyon na ang kanilang tanggapan subalit tulad ng lahat ng katulad nilang pasilidad sa bansa ay nananatili pa rin itong hindi tumatanggap ng mga dalaw bilang bahagi ng no mass gathering at pinaiiral na pagsunod sa social distancing health protocols.    

Ayon kay Dr. Hjordis Marushka Celis, Bulacan Medical Center Director, head of the Response Cluster of COVID 19 Provincial Task Force at co- chair of Vaccination Operation Center of Bulacan, ang 80 Children In Conflict with the Law (CICL), 9 staffs ng Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) personnel at 6 jail guards na nagbabantay sa lugar ay pawang maayos na gumaling.

Dahil sa malalakas na katawan at resistensiya sa edad na 16-26 ay mild symptoms lang na ubo at lagnat ang naranasan ng mga juvenile, ayon sa doktora. Gayundin naman bagaman sa bahay nila at sa quarantine facility ng Capitolyo nagpagaling ang mga PSWDO at jail guards ay maayos din itong naka-recover, ani Celis.

Nilampasan pa ng pasilidad sa ilalim din ng head ng PSWDO na si Rowena Tiongson-Joson ang 14 hanggang 21 at hanggang maging isang buwang recovery and clearance period ng mga COVID infected individuals with mild symptoms bago muling buksan ang tanggapan nito  upang makasiguradong all fully recovered ang mga tinamaan.  

Marso 26 ng isang PSWDO staff ang mag-positibo sa COVID 19 makaraang hindi sinasadyang mahawa ito ng isang nag-birthday noong unang linggo pa lamang ng Marso na maluwag pa o nasa General Community Quarantine (GCQ) pa at hindi pa muling tumaas ang kaso ng COVID 19.

Ang staff na ito ang sumama sa isang residente sa hearing nito sa court at simula noon ay nakitaan na ng symptoms ang nasabing juvenile. Noon ding araw na iyon ay apat hanggang anim agad ang nakaramdam ng katulad na mga symptoms na lagnat at ubo at patuloy na nahawa pa ang iba sa mga sumunod na araw hanggang magkasakit na ang 80.

Siyamnapu’t siyam ang total na bilang ng mga juvenile at ang 19 ay pawang hindi mga tinamaan.

Higit pang pag-iingat sa ngayon ang isanagawa ng mga tauhan ng Capitolyo ayon na rin sa lalo pang-pag-amuki ni Joson at ni Gob. Daniel R. Fernando.    Matatandaang nagluksa ang Capitolyo dahil sa pagkamatay ng isang nurse na empleyado at apat na essential employees nito ng nakaraang buwan ng Marso at nito lamang dalawang linggo ang nakakaraan.

QUEZON CITY–Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the tollways unit of the MVP Group of Companies, is providing free COVID-19 vaccines to 3,814 employees as part of its continued commitment to the health and safety of its people.

The tollway firm, along with other companies under the MVP Group, recently rolled out in its different business units the pre-registration for employees and their dependents or household companions who are interested to get vaccinated for protection against the dreaded virus. Internal information campaign which seeks to encourage vaccination has also started.

MPTC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan assured, “We have placed orders for vaccines from a number of foreign suppliers. These are more than sufficient to cover each and every one of our workforce. Our vaccination policy can be best described as inclusive and embracing as this includes our employees ‘immediate families and kasambahays.”

“For more than a year now, COVID-19 has been hitting hard on everyone—creating an adverse impact across the country and the world. Safeguarding the well-being of our people ensures the continuous delivery of services to our motorists. We will cover the cost of vaccine for each employee as it is our responsibility to keep our work force safe and secure,” said Rodrigo E. Franco, President and CEO of MPTC.

He added that the vaccination, which is expected to commence by the second or third quarter of the year, is also in support to the national vaccination program and will be conducted in compliance with government protocols.

Since the pandemic started, the company did not waver its support to employees. Free COVID-19 testing, telemedicine consultations, health monitoring, and temporary accommodation were provided to ensure a safe work place. To reduce their outside exposure, alternative work arrangement and door-to-door shuttling were implemented.

Face masks and face shields as well as sanitizers were also handed out with priority to those who need to regularly face motorists such as tellers, patrol crews, customer service personnel, and rescue teams.

The different expressways under the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC)—NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, CALAX, and CCLEX—, have also been intensifying its COVID-19 prevention measures so both motorists and employees can be assured of their safety. They have carried out stringent disinfection for the toll booths, customer service centers, employee shuttles, construction project sites, and corporate workplaces.

Aside from these efforts, MPTC also continues to educate employees on how to protect themselves and their families. Protective curtains or transparent barriers, signs, and floor markings are installed at the toll booths and customer service centers to remind both employees and motorists of physical distancing guidelines.

“The welfare of our employees and motorists remains to be one of the company’s priorities. With pandemic or not, we are fully committed to keeping everyone healthy and safe,” Franco said.

Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar graced the inauguration of the newly-constructed two-storey isolation/quarantine facility of Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 on Friday, April 23.

Through the funding of the DPWH, a more spacious and fully-equipped isolation/quarantine facility was constructed for PRO 3 personnel who have contracted the virus. This is in addition to the existing isolation/quarantine facilities inside the regional headquarters.

The improvement of the camp drainage canal and other infrastructures being constructed is also made possible thru the assistance of DPWH in line with the DPWH- PNP Convergence program and the support of PRO3 stakeholders. “The men and women of PRO3 including its 7 provinces and 2 cities are truly grateful for the untiring support of the DPWH and other partner agencies as we share the joy of this milestone, we also embraced the shared vision and commitment to safeguarding quality assurance of peace and order of the region,” PRO3 Head Police Brigadier Gen. Valeriano De Leon said during the activity. (PIO-3)

SIYUDAD NG MALOLOS—Gagawin ngayong centralized system ang pag-handle ng Provincial Government of Bulacan sa COVID-19 cases sa buong lalawigan sa pamamagitan ng pansamantalang pag-gamit sa Bulacan Medical Center bilang isang all purely COVID-19 hospital at ang mga pasyenteng may ibang mga karamdaman ay tatanggapin at gagamutin sa pitong district hospitals.

Ayon kay Gob. Daniel Fernando, ang programa ay base sa Bulacan COVID-19 Surge Design kung saan ang BMC OB Gyne Building ay gagamiting extension ng Bulacan Infection Control Center (BICC) upang ma-accommodate pa ang patuloy na dumaraming bilang ng mga COVID-19 patients sa lalawigan na kailanganag gamuitin sa hospital.

Sa ngayon, ang 100-bed capacity na BICC na nagsimulang mag-operate noong kasagsagan ng pandemya noong isang taon ay nag-ookupa na ng 134 patients at aabot sa 200 pasyente ang kayang ma-accommodate kapag ginamit na ang halos katabing OB Gyne Building.

Paliwanang ng gobernador sa NEWS CORE, ang mga dumaraing ng sakit na pupunta sa BMC ay tatanggapin lang muna sa triage area o sa tent sa labas ng Out Patient Department. Doon ito ay isasailalim sa swab test, kapag negative ay dadalin sa emergency room ng BMC at gagamutin doon at kapag nag-stablize na at saka ililipat sa designated district hospital ayon sa karamdaman ng pasyente. 

Ang OB Gyne services ng BMC ay ililipat sa Calumpit District Hospital na kilala bilang isang maternity hospital. Gagamot din ito ng pediatric cases.

Ang Plaridel Infirmary Hospital na malapit lang sa BMC ay gagawing BMC Extension na magpo-focus sa out-patient services. Partikular itong magiging BMC Animal Bite Center.

Ang Emilio G. Perez District Hospital sa Bayan ng Hagonoy ay magsisilbi bilang Medical and Pediatric Hospital.

Ang Gregorio Del Pilar District Hospital sa Bayan ng Bulakan ay magiging surgical hospital samantalang ang San Miguel District, Baliwag District at Rogaciano Memorial Hospital sa Sta. Maria ay mananatiling general hospitals.

Ang critical non COVID-19 cases ay maaari ring dalhin sa Rogaciano at  Baliwag Districts.

Ayon sa gobernador, hindi na i-rorotate ng assignments ang mga doctors and nurses tulad ng ginagawang sistema kundi ang mga COVID-19 assigned doctors ay mananatili na lamang sa BICC at BMC at ang lahat ng non-COVID treating doctors ay sa kani-kanilang specialidad sa mga district hospitals.

Mahigpit na utos ng punong lalawigan na walang pasyenteng hindi maaaring tanggapin.

Ang Bulacan State University building na ginamit na quarters ng mga doctor at nurses ay gagawin ng recovery or step down facility ng mga pasyenteng lumabas na ng BICC.  

Ang Governance Center naman na quarantine facility ay sumailaim sa upgrading at ginawa itong medical treatment facility para sa mga front liners na tinamaan ng COVID-19.

Ginagamit na rin ang Mega Quarantine Facility na inisyatibong proyekto ng gobernador.

Mabilis na ipinatayo ni provincial engineer Glen Reyes, hepe ng Bulacan Provincial Engineering Office ang may halagang P16-Milyon na Mega Quarantine Facility sa Bulacan Sports Complex sa siyudad na ito na may 18-20 beds.

Binuo ang Bulacan COVID Surge Design na ito noon pang isang taon at dahil sa bumaba na ang mga kaso noong last quarter ay hindi na ito naipatupad, pahabol ng gobernador. 

Sa pinaka latest na tala ng Bulacan Provincial Health Office ay pumalo sa 24, 430 ang mga kaso sa lalawigan. Nakapaloob dito ang 3,305 active cases habang mayroong 292 fresh cases at 38 late cases. Umakyat naman sa 636 ang bilang ng mga namatay at 20, 489 ang recovery cases. 

The new two-storey Landbank Malolos Highway branch opens on Monday providing its clients with more convenient, spacious and good ambiance feel.

Situated now in no traffic congested side of the northbound lane of the MacArthur highway, the new building and the transfer is one of the active business activities and progress in Bulacan during this health crisis period brought by COVID-19 pandemic.

Manager Paulino Tiongson is proud that the branch is unique because of the Digital Banking Corner, a contactless individually operated machine for opening an account without a teller or any banking personnel to help prevent the spread of infection.

The old City of Malolos Proper branch has earlier moved to a similar new building and spacious site along Paseo del Congreso St.

A Roman Catholic chapel is made a site of community pantry as youth groups including media men also put up their own joining a number of initiatives of sharing foods on the table to help the most affected during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Angel Almario and Amira Dela Cruz, barangay youth leaders with their members established the “Sto. Cristo De Maysantol Community Pantry” in Barangay Maysantol using the chapel facility.

On Monday night, Almario posted on his social media account the group’s P4,300 worth cash collection. They have bought rice, cooking oil, canned goods and noodles.

A GCash number is posted for the contribution.

Residents donated coffee sachets, spaghetti packs, Purefoods corned beef, vegetables, pancit and spaghetti packs, trays of eggs, etc. 

Almario sees to it the social distancing is highly observed. Youth members Mark Justice Capicio, Shaina Capicio and Jackielyn De Jesus spray alcohol on the hands of the residents leaving the pantry.

In City of Malolos, local digital TV reporter and Radio Veritas Correspondent Theofel Santos and wife, Barngay Mabolo Councilor Lalaine Santos had their spot in front of their house. Some media friends also donated trays of egg, bread, etc.

Santos told NEWS CORE they managed to serve 100 community members in two Purok in Mabolo. They target to provide for the two other Purok during the weekend. 

When he posted his plan for a community pantry, he said, even politician friends–a vice mayor, a councilor, two village heads made voluntary contributions.

He said the food packs–garlic, onion, rice, tomato, cooking oil, eggplant, vinegar, soy sauce, potatoes, red egg, sardines, corned beef reached P15,000. 

Santos said folks in the line ask how many they can get, in one case, the egg. “You can get two each,” he told them. But, some still hastily sneaks their hands and had two more. “You cannot stop them, we just allowed it. But our pleas is not to take many or everything,” he said. 

The couple would want to introduce next time the mobile community pantry. 

In Plaridel, 25 year old vegetable wholesaler and retailer Jepoy De Leon moved his community pantry from the public market to Barangay Lipana, in front of his mother’s house to strictly observe social distancing. 

SM City Marilao speeds up Local Government Unit’s effort to control the spread of the Covid19 as the mall turn out to be the venue for vaccination program and quarantine financial aid distribution.

Over 200 individuals from A1 and A3 priority group bracket were inoculated with initial dose of Sinovac. The recipients that consist of health workers, front liners, and persons with comorbidities undergone screening and counseling before vaccination. They are also monitored and expected to return a couple of days for their second jab.

More of its town population including A2 beneficiaries or senior citizens will get vaccinated in the coming days once the next batch of vaccines arrives in Marilao. At least 115 more will get vaccinated with the resumption of the activity tomorrow, April 13. This month of April, the Municipality of Marilao targets to vaccinate at least 1,080 which is 70% of its A1 and A3 priority group.

“Lubos po kami nagpapasalamat sa pamunuan ng SM sa pagpapaunlak ninyo na magamit po naming ang inyong pasilidad kagaya nito na dito kami nag vavaccine sa cinema at dun naman sa kabilang side ay pagbibigay namin ng ayuda sa mamamayan ng Marilao” says Marilao Mayor Ricardo Silvestre.

Apart from setting out as venue for LGU’s vaccination program, SM City Marilao’s spacious hallways likewise served as site for Ibayo’s Quarantine Emergency Cash Assistance Distribution. Eligible beneficiaries affected by the hard lockdown are scheduled by batches from April 11 to 14 to avoid crowds and violation of health and safety protocols. First payout were given on Sunday were 1,140 residents received cash assistance. Joey Amador, Barangay Chief, said that 6,219 low income beneficiaries will receive a minimum of PHP 1,000 to a maximum of PHP4,000 financial assistance per family. Qualified beneficiaries of the latest subsidy program were determined through projections of the MSWD and Barangay Officials. “With this partnership, SM hopes to provide convenient, safe, and accessible venue for the community to get vaccinated” shares SM Assistant Vice President for Operations Ana Datu. Engr. Emmanuel Gatmaitan, SM City Marilao Mall Manager, also added that SM remains committed in ensuring the health and safety of the public.

Municipal health workers screen recipients before receiving Covid19 vaccine during “Marilenyong Bakunado Protektado” drive at SM City Marilao.