Commitment to serve is Antique frontliners’ weapon vs COVID-19

More than the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as essential need against COVID, Antique’s frontline service providers are as well armed with commitment to make Antiqueños safe against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Police Executive Master Sergeant Sirlan Mabaquiao, who is assigned in the island town of Caluya, said that as long as COVID 19 exists, the police force and all other members of team assigned in checkpoints remain steadfast in ensuring that the guidelines on Enhanced Community Quarantine are implemented.

“My work to serve the people despite the threat in my life of Corona Virus Disease is not just because I’m employed in the government. It is more than that. It is my commitment, concern and dedication to the people,” Mabaquiao said.

PCOL Roy B. Parena, PNP Provincial Director, has repeatedly urged everyone to help the frontline service providers like the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, men and women in uniform managing the checkpoints, the Barangay Health Response Team among other workers by staying at home to avert the possible spread of the corona virus.

Police Lieutenant Paul Joseph Oberio with Corporal Cris Al Apoli and other team members are only among the many frontliners who are manning the and operating in the check point borders of Hamtic, Antique and San Joaquin, Iloilo.

“We are strictly implementing the quarantine guidelines as stated under Executive Order No. 38 recently issued by Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao to ensure the protection of every Antiqueño,” they said.

They added that despite the threat that they will be infected by the virus because of their exposure in the ground, they openly embraced their work openly, however, appealing to the public to stay at home.

“While our life is at risk, we are doing this for the people, so please help us also by doing your responsibility of ensuring that you are staying in your home. Help us also pray that we will overcome this battle soon,” they said.

To support the frontline service providers, the office of House Deputy Speaker and Antique Lone District Representative Loren Legarda and the Provincial health Office have started the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to the hospitals, Municipal Health Offices and border checkpoints. These are personal donations of Representative Legarda.

Governor Cadiao and the rest of the provincial officials have also been supporting the frontline workers with the appropriation of P23 million Disaster Risk Reduction and Management funds for the needs of frontline workers such as food, transportation and personnel protective equipment and for relief operations of affected families.

A lot of generous donors, cooperatives, non-government organizations, government employees and individuals who are in either official or personal capacity have done their share in sending their donations through the provincial government or directly to hospitals and checkpoints.

Monica Zaldivar, Barangay Health Worker and a member of the Barangay Health Response Team, said they are committed to do their duty at the barangay checkpoint to ensure every household complied with quarantine guidelines and going out of the barangay/house is only for essential purpose.

Provincial Health Officer Ric Noel Naciongayo commended the frontline workers for their unwavering commitment to perform their duty despite the risk to their health and life just to make sure that Antique will remain COVID 19-free.

As of March 31, 2020, there no confirmed cases reported for Antique. (PIA)