NegOcc ramps up oxygen production as cases surge

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said Tuesday that the provincial government has started to increase production of medical oxygen in its plant in Silay City.

This, as the province continues to record a surge in new COVID-19 cases, Diaz said.

Diaz also said that they want to further step-increase production by adding more workers, and engineers.

The province is currently hiring five additional job-order employees.

As for the equipment, Diaz said they are awaiting documents from the Provincial Engineer’s Office as to what parts will be needed to improve production and efficiency.

The needed items and parts will then be procured through emergency purchase.

Diaz said they are currently targeting to produce at least 180 oxygen tanks a day, 110 more compared to 70 tanks produced per day as reported last month.

To ensure enough supply of oxygen for hospitals, Diaz said they purchased at least P5 million worth of additional oxygen tanks to further augment the province’s plant in case of a shortage.

As for the current usage of oxygen in the province’s hospitals, Diaz already noted a 300 percent increase in demand for oxygen, pointing out that many people admitted to hospitals with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms.

He also hopes that there would be no further lockdowns, pointing out such events can delay the arrival of the parts, equipment, and the technical personnel that are needed for the oxygen plant’s improvements

Diaz also appealed to Negrenses not to take advantage of the surge by way of profiteering or hoarding oxygen supplies.

“Now is not the time to take advantage of the misery of our fellow Negrenses. We have to work together, cooperate with one another, extend help and generosity rather than selfishness.”