Antique town folks offer help in COVID response

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Concerned folks of Pandan, Antique, both living locally and abroad, called on the municipal government led by Plaridel E. Sanchez to address the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths.

The call is contained in a letter from concerned Pandananons dated July 7, 2021, and signed by Tomas U. Estoperez Jr.

The co-convenors of the group as indicated in the letter include Dr. Cesar Candari (USA), Ne Cit Pechangco, RN (USA), Cesar Jontilano, RN (Canada), and Leona Alcantara Nocker (Austria).

Copies of the letter were sent to the municipal Inter-Agency Task Force and barangay officials.

The letter said that “many more Pandananons would have been declared as COVID-19 positive had they been tested.”

Data from the Pandan Rural Health Unit on Thursday indicated that the town logged 108 confirmed cases (30 active cases, 65 recoveries, and 13 deaths).

The group said “a comprehensive approach should be done to arrest and stop the further spread of this dreaded virus.”

“Thus, we have decided to contribute our share, financially or otherwise. We also made and are suggesting the implementation of the following Plans and Interventions to fight and control COVID-19.”

Among the suggestions were:

1. Identify those who are positive with covid-19 through massive testing;
2. Isolate those that are positive and quarantine the first and second layer contacts in their houses or to our municipal temporary treatment and management facility if there is any;
3. Give appropriate medicines to those who are found positive and quarantined;
4. Secure provisions and support for those who are found positive and quarantined. (Ex. Giving of food packs and hygiene kits);
5. Control the exposure and contacts to those who are isolated and quarantined by requesting the help and support of the Barangay Local Government Units (BLGU’s) especially in monitoring the status of those who are quarantined;
6. Strictly implement Safety Health Protocols and ensure a massive and clear information dissemination of IATF guidelines in addressing covid-19 related issues; and
7. Disinfection of public places like, public market, gyms and public plaza.

Testing has been a concern in Antique as it was only in June 2021 that the province began operating its molecular laboratory that runs RT-PCR testing, which is the gold standard in COVID-19 detection.

Pandan happens to be the hometown of former senator now Antique lone district Rep. Loren Legarda.

The group of concerned Pandananons said they are willing to help the local government in the testing and treatment of COVID patients.

“We believe we can do and accomplish the above Interventions. We have testing kits approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and DOH (Department of Health) that can initially test 100 persons and more to follow. We have medicines ready for distribution and most importantly we have licensed and experienced Medical Technologist to do the testing and medical doctors to be consulted and to dispense proper medicines. Rest assured, they will be in complete PPEs while testing, consulting and dispensing,” the group said.

The group said politics has no place in efforts to curb the pandemic.

“Politics and other vested interests should not be our major concern in these trying times because we are now in a crisis situation. Please understand further that one less positive case on the street will dramatically lessen the probability of the spread of the virus. We are hoping for a positive response regarding this letter. May we know your comments and suggestions as soon as possible as time is very important and critical.”

Daily Guardian is still trying to get the comment of Mayor Sanchez.