Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) has leveled –up and took extra steps in protecting its employees against the spread of the Coronavirus disease -2019 (Covid -19).
The Bontoc LGU started to provide face masks and hand sanitizers to all its employees, employees of National Government Agencies whose offices are located at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol, Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS) and Bontoc Municipal Fire Station. National Government Agencies with offices located at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol are Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Commission on Election, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) – Mountain Province, and Municipal Local Government Operations Office.
Aside from this, N95 masks were also provided to the health personnel of the Rural Health Unit and staff of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office.
This is aside from the prevention and precautionary measures being undertaken by the Bontoc LGU in the previous days to include strict implementation of No facemask/ no face shield, No entry at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol; conduct of thermal scanning by the staff of the Rural Health Unit (RHU) to all employees and clients entering the Bontoc Municipal Capitol; adoption of the memorandum circular of the Civil Service Commission on alternative work arrangement; implementation of one-meter physical distancing especially to frontline services of the Bontoc LGU; and disinfection in all offices every afternoon.
According to Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Johanna Padaen, the Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force in its meeting decided to allocate a budget from the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); procurement of disinfectants, sprayers, and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment; procurement of equipment, reagents, and kits for Covid -19; procurement of medicines and vitamins; food expenses for all personnel directly involved in the implementation of Covid – 19 activities; maintenance of vehicle, purchase of fuel, oil, lubricants and spare parts; accommodation of Covid-19 patients and Person Under Monitoring (PUMs) and Persons Under Investigation (PUIs); food assistance and other relief good for affected households; other necessary Covid-19 related Program Project and Activities (PPAs) and expenses; training expense for nasal throat swab; and operation expenses in the implementation of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Padaen added that employees of Bontoc LGU including those employed in job orders were all given of 30 capsules/ tablets of Vitamin C each. Aside from this, all municipal offices were provided with a galloon of alcohol. Also, all the 16 Barangay Health Stations (BHS) were with gallons of alcohol and Vitamin C from the Bontoc LGU.
In a separate interview with Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey, he remarked that these initiatives of Bontoc LGU aim to protect its employees and clients against Covid -19.
“Our frontliners and employees deserve the support and the protection that we could muster because they are exposed to the health risk,” Odsey mentioned.
By Alpine L. Killa
