ILOILO City – Boardinghouse operators throwing out tenants who are healthcare workers during this time of enhanced community quarantine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) face dire consequences, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
“Pagkatapos sini, atubangay man kita gihapon,” he said.
Healthcare workers of The Medical City in Molo district, specifically nurses, reported being barred from entering their boardinghouses or barangays following the confirmation that two persons with COVID-19 were confined in that hospital.
This prompted the city government to
temporarily transform the Iloilo City Community College into a shelter for
healthcare workers.
Treñas called on healthcare workers to coordinate with the city government.
Concerned citizens have donated items to the temporary shelter such as folding beds, mattresses and pillows.
For its part, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution urging the strict enforcement of Regulation Ordinance (RO) No. 2020-058 (an ordinance amending the title, sections I and II of RO 2020-090 which declared as unlawful acts of discrimination based on gender, race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin and religious affiliation or beliefs. The word “profession” had been added.
Recently, Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire of the Department of Health (DOH) appealed to the Ilonggos not to discriminate healthcare workers fighting COVID-19.
“Hindi po ito ang panahon para talikuran natin ang ating healthcare workers. Sila po ay nag-iingat para hindi makapanghawa ng iba. So sana po ‘wag po natin itong (discrimination) gawin sa ating mga healthcare workers,” said Vergeire.
Treñas received information that buses rejected healthcare workers, and even carinderias won’t sell food to them.
“We should not allow this to happen. Please keep in mind if our healthcare workers cannot eat, if they cannot go to work, if they cannot rest and sleep, who will take care of you if you get infected,” Treñas reminded the public.
The Medical City assured the public its healthcare workers and frontliners pose no health risk to the public.
Dr. Felix Ray Villa, chief executive officer of The Medical City in Iloilo City, said “Our quarantine protocols have already been in place even before this positive result. We have taken each possible precaution to make sure this is contained. There is no cause for panic as the proper protocols have been observed and followed.”/PN
