BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental has begun upgrading their oxygen production plant in Silay City as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases continue to surge.
According to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, they will step up production by adding more workers, especially engineers.
They are hiring five additional job-order employees.
For the equipment, Diaz said they are awaiting the documents from the Provincial Engineer’s Office as to what parts will be needed to improve production and efficiency.
The items will then be procured by means of an emergency purchase.
Diaz said they are targeting to produce 180 oxygen tanks a day – 110 more compared to last month’s 70 tanks produced daily.
To ensure there would be enough oxygen supply for the hospitals, Diaz said they purchased at least P5-million worth additional oxygen tanks as augmentation in case of shortage.
As for the current usage of oxygen among hospitals, Diaz noted a 300-percent increase in demand, pointing out there were a lot of hospital admissions, especially patients with moderate to severe coronavirus symptoms.
Diaz hopes that there would be no further lockdowns, pointing out such can “delay the arrival of parts, equipment and the technical personnel” needed.
Diaz also appealed to the public not to take advantage of the surge by profiteering or hoarding oxygen supplies.
“Now is not the time to take advantage of the misery of our fellow Negrenses,” Diaz said. “We have to work together, cooperate with one another, extend help and generosity rather than selfishness.”/PN
