NegOcc earmarks P33M for nCoV, Bacolod allots P10M

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental has allocated P33.5 million for the prevention of the 2019 novel coronavirus while the city government of Bacolod set aside P10 million.

Citing the request of the Provincial Health Office, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said P3.5 million will be used to buy personal protective equipment and disinfectant, while the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office allocated P30 million to help combat the dreaded disease.

Lacson said the funds will be sourced from the PDRRM fund.

Earlier, the Provincial Infectious Disease Action and Control Council and Task Force nCoV were both activated by the provincial government to ensure unified and concerted efforts in establishing precautionary measures to contain and handle nCoV cases.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumibang said they will first conduct an inventory of logistical requirements that are available in government hospitals before making any purchase requests.

Tumimbang also said that they are now preparing the Provincial Hospital in Silay City, Negros Occidental to accept persons under investigation (PUIs), should there be no available isolation rooms at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City.

Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, head of the Inter-Agency Task Group on nCoV, said the Bacolod City council has approved the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia for the P10 million to address the nCoV concerns.