The Makati City government has created a special task force and placed all city health and rescue personnel on high alert as a proactive protective measure in the city amid the worldwide novel coronavirus outbreak.
Among the initial measures undertaken by the Task Force created by virtue of an executive order signed by Mayor Abigail Binay include the use of infrared thermometers by health personnel to scan city employees and visitors entering City Hall as well as barangay health centers.
Rescue, engineering and health personnel start working to convert the city’s Friendship Suites, initially used as a hostel, into an isolation facility for those found positive with 2019-nCoV.
The Office of the City Administrator also directed all business and commercial establishments, including Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, to immediately submit to the city the list of all employees who have recently visited mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. The business permits of those who fail to comply will be revoked.
“This global health emergency compels us to institute long-term solutions that will strengthen our capability to effectively respond to similar crises in the future. Our immediate concern now is to put in place needed systems, protocols and resources to ensure we are covering all the bases in preventing the transmission and spread of the novel coronavirus in the city,” Binay said.
The city chief executive enjoined owners and management of establishments in the city, including hotels, condominiums, malls and POGOs, to cooperate with the city government in the implementation of preventive measures.
“These times demand a unified and coordinated action from all sectors. The city government appeals to all our stakeholders to cooperate and support policies and measures being undertaken to avert a health crisis in our city,” she said.
Binay earlier ordered the conduct of joint inspections on establishments, especially POGOs, hotels and condominiums, to monitor the implementation of protocols and preventive measures set by the Department of Health. Inspection teams are led by Makati Health Department, supported by Business Permit and Licensing Office, Office of the Building Official, Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and Assessment Department.
The newly-formed committee is chaired by the Mayor and co-chaired with the Vice Mayor and City Administrator. Its members include the Office of the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, MHD, Ospital ng Makati, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, BPLO, Assessment Department, Urban Development Department, Makati Veterinary Services Department, Liga ng mga Barangay, Makati Action Center, Legal Department, Information and Community Relations Department, and International Relations Department.
Based on the EO, the committee’s main functions will include the establishment of a Vector Control and Surveillance Unit through the MHD, and the institutionalization of a recording and reporting system for vector control and surveillance information.
It will also lead an aggressive information drive, using various IEC materials and communication platforms, to promote the active participation of residents and other stakeholders in the citywide campaign against the 2019-nCoV. It will provide technical and logistical support to the barangays, as well as IEC materials, reporting forms and other relevant supplies.
It will also tap the support of socio-civic and business sectors to generate resources, such as volunteers, drugs/medical/laboratory supplies, IEC materials, and reporting forms among others. Other activities incidental and necessary in the control, prevention and elimination of 2019-nCov will also be undertaken by the Committee.