TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The city government recently purchased 2 fully equipped ambulances to augment the resources and equipment of the city to address issues and concerns triggered by the lifted enhanced community quarantine and now the general community quarantine (GCQ) due to the ongoing fight against the dreaded Corona Virus Disease (COVID) 2019.
Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero disclosed the city government earmarked some P3.4 million for the purchase of the ambulances to intensify the response of the city not only related to COVID but also to emergency situations.
He added the ambulances are equipped with collapsible jump seat for doctors, fabricated nurse and aide seat, collapsible ambulance stretcher, oxygen tank, beacon-type warning light, siren and speaker, including handheld microphone, portable fire extinguisher, portable flashlight, oxygen tank regular and de-humidifier with nasal cannula, first aid kit, including blood pressure apparatus with standard stethoscope, baumanometer, minor surgical kit, intravenous holder and more vital equipment.
He disclosed one of the ambulances will be given to the City Health Office while the other will be turned over to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to enhance the their emergency response, especially during emergency situations and natural and man-made calamities.
Earlier, the city government procured an ambulance for its primary emergency response.
According to him, a much bigger ambulance was procured by the city and that the same will be delivered by the winning bidder anytime.
He cited that the city government will continue to invest in the procurement of the required emergency vehicles and equipment to ensure that the City Health Office and the CDRRMO can efficiently and effectively respond to the calls for emergency and other similar scenarios.
Kalinga, including Tabuk City, was placed under GCQ effective last May 1, 2020 after the whole province maintained its COVID-free status to date.
The city mayor asserted the city government will remain vigilant on the entry of stranded individuals from other places to secure the gains achieved during the implementation of the lifted enhanced community quarantine for the city to sustain its COVID-free status until such time that the prevailing crisis situation will normalize.
He urged the concerned offices where the procured ambulances were assigned to ensure these will be appropriately used for emergency purposes and for the assigned personnel to ensure the emergency response vehicles will be in good running condition to be cater to the emergency needs of the people.
He stipulated that city authorities managing the different entry points in the city will remain strict in the implementation of the revised GCQ rules to prevent the unpermitted individuals from sneaking into the city without the necessary documents.
By Hent
Photo by Armando M. Bolislis
