LUNA, Apayao—In line with the directive of Governor Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang to possibly expand quarantine facilities in the event COVID-19 cases in Apayao continue to swell and overload the bed capacity of the Provincial Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF), the Provincial Health Office completed the inventory and assessment of the Provincial Government cottages located at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex, Payanan, Luna.
Based on the PHO’s ocular inspection, nine (9) cottages with 25 rooms and a total of 85 bed capacity furnished with complete amenities are available. According to the assessment, only minor repairs and regular maintenance shall be made to some cottages to be fully functional.
During the Provincial Inter Agency Task Force (PIATF) Meeting held on January 25, Gov. Leah instructed Provincial Health Officer 1 and TTMF Head Dr. Mark Joleen Calban to have a “concrete contingency plan and be ready for the upsurge of COVID-19 considering that UK Variant is already in the Cordillera particularly in Mt. Province.”
The inclusion of the said cottages according to the Governor, shall secure reliable additional isolation facilities for the asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in support to the 50-bed capacity of the TTMF.
Dr. Calban said two (2) cottages are already being utilized as expanded stepdown quarantine facilities while another two (2) cottages are used as isolation quarters for TTMF staff’s post duty.
The construction of the cottages according to Provincial Tourism Officer Rebecca Mamba was made possible through the initiative of Congressman Elias C. Bulut, Jr. then the Governor as part of the preparation of the Provincial Government for the hosting of Apayao to the Cordillera Administrative Regional Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet in 2013 to accommodate visitors and participants. BY GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN
