BY GLENDA TAYONA
ROXAS City – The city government is coming up with proactive measures to shield the city from the possible entry of monkeypox disease.
The Local Health Board led by Mayor Ronnie Dadivas convened recently for the city’s “Monkeypox Preparedness and Response Plan”.
Inbound individuals from other areas may be required to present a health declaration.
“Apisar wala kita sang kumpirmado nga kaso sa karon, dapat preparado ang city government sa pagtapna kag pag-atubang sa amo nga balatian,” said Dadivas.
The City Health Office plans to conduct a massive information and education campaign on monkeypox down to the barangay level.
It also suggested forming an Epidemiological Surveillance Unit.
Barangay Health and Emergency Response Teams (BHERTS) and Barangay Health Workers would undergo orientation on monkeypox.
The city government is also eyeing the Hortus Botanicus as isolation facility for monkeypox cases.
On the other hand, the Roxas City police station will have border checkpoints.
Present during the Local Health Board meeting led by Dadivas were Councilor Federico Acepcion who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Health; City Health Officer Dr. Lory Cahilog; Joeffrey Espiritu, Department of Health – Capiz development management officer; Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Roxas airport manager Monnico Basallote; Roxas City police chief Lieutenant Colonel Aron Palomo; Roxas City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Roel Bermejo; City Department of Interior and Local Government Officer Gino Salamanca; City Agriculturist Mary Anne Baria; Senior Fire Officer 3 Armstrong Buni of the Roxas City Bureau of Fire Protection; City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Dennis Saneo; Assistant Department Head Ronald Amigo; and Jane Diaz of the Philippine Ports Authority – Culasi, among others./PN