SAN JOSE, Antique – Two towns in this province began welcoming back its residents who were stranded in neighboring provinces and other parts of the country due to travel restrictions of the enhanced community quarantine to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
On April 28, this capital town started accepting residents after its isolation facility at the Antique National School (ANS) opened.
Mayor Elmer Untaran said the local government unit (LGU) started fetching its residents in the provinces of Iloilo and Aklan the same day of the quarantine center’s opening.
There are 32 persons in the ANS undergoing mandatory 14-day quarantine as of May 1.
Dr. Melba Billiones of the San Jose Rural Health Unit, for her part, stressed that they are prioritizing those residents who are stranded within Panay Island.
She added that the respective family members of those Antiqueños who are stuck should coordinate with her or the mayor’s office.
In Hamtic town, meanwhile, there are already 12 residents being isolated at the quarantine center in Gov. Leandro Fullon National School located in Barangay Fabrica as of May 1 also.
Vice mayor Julius Ronald Pacificador said the town began welcoming them on April 17.
Dr. Ma. Eva Pacificador of Hamtic Rural Health Unit, on the other hand, said the town is also preparing another isolation facility located at the Gov. Julian Fullon Pacificador National High School in Barangay Funda for the possible influx of sugarcane migrant workers who will be returning home.
Both Untaran and Pacificador said that their respective LGUs will provide food, water, medicines and toiletries, among others for their residents undergoing mandatory isolation. Medical and security personnel are also on duty at the centers./PN
