ILOILO – Despite the tight screening of people entering the capitol as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Hong Kong managed to get inside undetected by security guards yesterday morning.
Atty. Suzette Mamon, provincial administrator, immediately ordered a review of the screening protocols.
She also ordered the disinfection of the Office of the Governor and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO). Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, has several COVID-19 cases.
The OFW was a resident of Cabatuan town in the 3rd District. She sought a quarantine clearance, according to Mamon, and visited the Office of the Governor and PSWDO.
The provincial capitol actually prepared for the OFW’s visit, Mamon said; she was informed in advance by the OFW’s lawyer about the visit.
“Gusto ‘ya si governor ma-istorya, mangayo daw clearance nga-a i-quarantine siya,” said Mamon.
According to the provincial administrator, she told her lawyer-friend to advice the OFW to first undergo 14 days of quarantine before visiting the capitol.
The OFW returned to Iloilo from Hong Kong just three or four days ago to follow up a custody case involving her child.
Capitol guards posted at the entrance and exit doors were furnished with the OFW’s name. The EROI or Emergency Responders of Iloilo (EROI) was also alerted.
The OFW, however, gave a different name to the guards so she was able to enter the capitol.
It was Dr. Neneth Pador, chief of the PSWDO, who discovered the OFW’s undetected entry during her interview with the worker.
As this was being written, the OFW was poised to be referred to the Western Visayas Medical Center for quarantine.
Last month the provincial government issued entry rules and regulations against the possible spread of COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 28-A previously issued by Governor Defensor further strengthening quarantine procedures and other disease prevention and control measures.
Employees, visitors and clients transacting at the capitol must observe the following:
1. All provincial government employees are required to wear their frontline/capitol ID upon entry and while within the IPG premises. The No ID, No Entry police shall be implemented.
2. Only the capitol and Casa Real main entrance shall be opened for visitors/transacting clients. Capitol employees may use all opened entrance doors provided that frontline/capitol ID shall be implemented.
3. Employees and visitors/clients shall pass the designated lanes as provided at the capitol main entrance. Employees with no frontline/capitol ID shall pass the visitor’s lane and undergo a non-contact infrared thermometer check and similar procedures.
4. Members of print and broadcast media may use the employee’s lane upon presentation of press/company ID.
5. Security personnel and/or Emergency Responders of Iloilo (EROI) shall conduct a Rapid Health Assessment (RHA) to all clients and visitors. A personalized sticker shall be provided as an access to all offices in the capitol upon entry.
6. Security personnel and/or EROI shall assess the following: fever of 38 degrees Celcius (hilanat) through a non-contact infrared thermometer; colds (sip-on); and cough (ubo)
7. Visitors/clients observed to be with symptoms (fever, colds, cough) shall be provided with surgical mask for precautionary measures and further be subjected to the following questions in accordance with COVID-19 Decision Tool:
Travel history: country visited for the past 14 days or from Jan. 1, 2020 (China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea)
Close contact with persons with travel history to China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea
Require to fill-up Quick Assessment Tool for Travelers and refer appropriate health personnel for intervention
8. Entrance and exit gates at the back portion of the capitol shall be closed at 9:30 a.m. Gate between the Casa Real and Power House may be used as entrance/exit. The rest of the gates are open to public./PN)
