BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Negros Occidental is strengthening its border protocols in preparation for the influx of tourists attending the MassKara Festival next month.
PHO head Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said yesterday morning they are wary of monkeypox.
“All this monitoring will be our basis and guide on what to do if a case is discovered in the province,” Tumimbang said. “These are the threats that we should prepare for. Two weeks from the start of the festivities we should strengthen the monitoring of our airport and seaports because there will be visitors arriving.”
The Bacolod City Health Office is already preparing and has coordinated with the PHO with regards to the installation of a monitoring station at the BREDCO Port in Bacolod City, he added.
At the provincial level, local government units could also take care of their own protocols, especially since Negros Occidental also has ports of entry in San Carlos City and Escalante City, said the PHO head.
“We agreed to set up a composite team at the BREDCO Port. We will monitor if persons entering Bacolod City and Negros Occidental have fever just like what was implemented for COVID-19,” Tumimbang pointed out.
They are also finalizing protocols with the different government agencies like the Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Immigration, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Tumimbang is not in favor of scrapping the use of facemasks, especially during the festivities, and those with fever will be isolated for quarantine by concerned local government units.
“Going into the upcoming festivities, we should stick to the minimum health protocols,” he added./PN
