Capiz mayors want prov’l health chief out

By Felipe V. Celino

 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Twelve of the 16 municipal mayors in Capiz want Provincial Health Office (PHO) Dr. Leah del Rosario relieved as officer-in-charge (OIC).

In a resolution submitted to Governor Esteban Evan Contreras, the League of the Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP)-Capiz Chapter called for the sacking of del Rosario for purported poor performance.

The resolution was made during the meeting of the LMP-Capiz chapter on Tuesday where Contreras was guest.

The mayors said they want a health chief who has knowledge on how to fight and counter the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The LMP-Capiz said the CPHO must lead the campaign against COVID-19 as a public health concern office, but it is the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) that is presently handling the reins.

Contreras said he wanted to talk first with members of the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) regarding the mayors’ appeal.

Except for the LMP resolution, he said he did not receive any complaint against del Rosario.

Only the mayors from Pilar, President Roxas, Dao and Panay did not sign the resolution.

Del Rosario cannot be reached for comment as she is on sick leave.

Meanwhile, work at the Mambusao Hall of Justice was suspended for two days after the child of one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Based on Office Order No. 20-2020 issued by Executive Judge Judith Orendain-Tonogbanua, the suspension of work from July 29 to 30, 2020 is meant to give way to disinfection of the building.

As of this writing, Capiz now has 60 COVID-19 cases, with 45 active case, 13 recoveries and 2 fatalities.

The latest addition to the list are:

-a 31-year-old Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF) with travel history from China and Manila;

-a 54-year-old male ROF of Panitan with travel history Spain, Abu Dhabi and Metro Manila;

-a 23-year-old female Locally Stranded Individual (LSI) from Cusrtero with travel history in Biñan, Laguna; and

-a 21-year-old lady LSI of President Roxas with travel history in Caloocan City, Metro Manila.