GUIMARAS – Those on the frontlines may have walked from different segments but still are converging at one vertex – quelling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Confronting an unseen enemy is never easy, according to Dr. Robel Gencianeo, municipal health officer of Jordan town, “but the local government is very supportive of us.”
“Kung ano ang hinihingi o kailangan (namin) ibinibigay kaagad,” Gencianeo told Panay News.
Jordan, one of the hardest-hit areas here, found it tough to battle the coronavirus down to the barangay level, but with the quick response brought by good management, barangay front liners are getting in the saddle.
Should a barangay need assistance, “nandyan kami nagha-hands-on talaga,” Gencianeo said.
He is also optimistic that all their efforts will reap good results.
However, he said there are still people who won’t believe COVID-19 is real.
“Kon kulang pa gihapon sa pag-intindi ang mga tawo, indi pa gid guro ganun ka successful ang campaign against COVID,” Gencianeo assessed.
However, he said, “May ara gid ‘ya mga tawo nga naka-eksperiensya kag nakita ang pangabudlay namon and nagasiling nga tuod gid man si COVID so nagahalong sila.”
How are Jordan health workers dealing with discrimination?
“Sabi ko sa mga staff ko, ‘Alam naman natin kung ano’ng mga efforts natin,’” Gencianeo stressed. “We have to be consistent. Hindi lang magpa-apekto. Focus tayo sa trabaho.”
Fortunately, none of them in the Rural Health Unit have been infected by far.
ENDURING COMPLEXITY
Governance is also being tested by the pandemic, shared Nueva Valencia’s Mayor Emmanuel Galila to Panay News.
“Indi ta mapabay-an ang aton mga tawo,” Galila said, drawing emphasis on the role of local governments in marshaling the COVID situation.
Though it affected some of their programs and projects, Galila said the need to divert Nueva Valencia’s development fund for COVID expenses has grown it shouldn’t be overlooked.
A calamity fund of around P10 million is also being reserved as the “fight is not over yet”.
“We spend around P15 million for COVID (response) and that included the food and other needs of our affected residents, then our preemptive programs,” the mayor said. “Dira nagakadto (ang) kwarta sang banwa.”
He went on: “We still have enough funds but we’re saving it kay basi magtaas ang kaso may gamiton kita.”
Galila said the town is recovering but he emphasized the campaign against COVID-19 continues.
They have also been facing risks, especially him being the local chief executive.
“We are dealing with people, may ara gusto mag-estorya personal so you have to face them… ang risk being infected ara gid pero wala kita mahimo kay official kita,” he said.
Mayor Eugenio Reyes of Buenavista town, on the other hand, first-hand experienced being quarantined. He had been exposed to a close contact of a COVID positive but fortunately, the result of his swab test turned out negative for the disease.
Though he already accepted the fact that there is always a risk, Reyes said he always make sure he’s taking necessary precaution.
He added that he will also submit himself for vaccination.
“What’s important is ma-deliver naton ang assistance especially sa mga senior citizens,” he stressed. “Naga house-to-house (visit) na lang kita. Wala kita gapatawag sa ila kay delikado man sa ila.”
Cash assistance was also given to affected sectors.
DUTY TO PROTECT
Guimaras police director Police Colonel Pablito Asmod also echoed that risk can’t be taken out of the picture.
“We assist those who are infected by going to the quarantine facility, so tama man ka delikado sa amon nga mga police. We have no choice because it is our duty to protect the people,” Asmod told Panay News.
“Bisan delikado we still perform our duty especially in our assigned border areas,” Asmod added.
He also reminded all Guimarasnons to continue observing proper health protocols such as proper wearing of facemasks, washing of hands and social distancing.
“We are thankful that despite the risk wala man may nadula sa aton mga tinawo. Appeal ko lang sa publiko, observe health protocols para malampuwasan naton ang pandemic nga ini,” he said./PN
