CEBU, Philippines — Some barangays in Cebu City have taken their own initiative to form their own extraction teams to help the Emergency Operations Center to speed up the process in containing the virus in their respective communities.
Barangays that have already formed their own extraction team and have extracted COVID-19 positive in their area include San Nicolas Proper, Sawang, Basak Pardo, Punta Princesa, Lorega, Ermita, Tejero and Cogon-Ramos in coordination with the EOC and the city’s Quick Response Team.
EOC’s deputy chief implementer, Councilor Joel Garganera said these barangay extraction teams were trained by the Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection and the QRT.
San Nicolas Proper barangay captain Clifford Jude Niñal said they had an advantage of forming its own extraction team right away as the members have already been assigned to the barangay isolation center before and are well-trained as well already.
Garganera is happy with this development as this is a weight off their shoulders as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the city.
All other barangays are also expected to do the same while Cebu City has more than 2,500 total active cases now.
Aside from that, Cebu City also has four more deaths based on the Department of Health in Central Visayas February 10 case bulletin.
Meanwhile, aside from its own extraction team, San Nicolas Proper also received a new ambulance from Senator Sonny Angara.
Niñal felt so blessed after finally having an ambulance in the barangay to better serve the residents in emergency situations.
Niñal also thanked Association of Barangay Councils president Franklin Ong for facilitating his request to get an ambulance.
“First time gyud ni nga naa na miy among kaugalingong ambulansya sa barangay, kung naa man gani sa una, seguro pila na ka dekada naa. Maayo ni kay para mas madali namog dala ang mga naay emergency cases. Dili ni pang-Covid pero which is mas maayo para dili magsagol-sagol,” said Niñal.
Earlier, Cebu City South District Representative Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa also facilitated in securing a multi-purpose vehicle for San Nicolas. — GMR (FREEMAN)