Ilocos Norte gov warns: Don’t mistreat Covid workers; cases up

By Ma. Joreina Therese A. Blanco

LAOAG CITY -- Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc urged the public not to discriminate Covid-19 frontline workers and patients as cases of the deadly disease have gone up in the province.

As of August 30, there were 20 active cases, 33 recoveries and one death with total of 54 cases in Ilocos Norte.

Manotoc said there have been reports of discrimination against those working at the frontlines to mitigate the spread of the viral disease.

During the press briefing on August 29, Governor Marcos Manotoc expressed his dismay over these reports, citing this as not an Ilokano trait.

 “They are our heroes and yet we discriminate them, and we avoid them. That’s not who we are, that’s not the Ilokano personality that I know,” the young governor said.

The governor, in his latest executive order provided guidelines against Covid-19 in the province.

The provincial government has imposed a fine for violators.

“Any form of discrimination against medical and non-medical frontliners and Covid-19 suspected, probable, and confirmed cases and/or their relatives shall be penalized with a fine of P5,000.00,” the EO said.

Manotoc said discrimination had resulted to forntliners being avoided and mistreated.

Just like in Baguio City wherein Covid-19 patients can be named with consent to aid in a faster contact tracing, Ilocos Norte police director Col. Christopher Abrahano and the governor said even if this is being practiced by the said city, this is not mandatory and it needs consent from the patient if he or she is willing to have his or her name revealed.

“I understand where it is coming from - a place of fear. But I hope that with the openness and awareness that we need, sana we can have more carriers to come out, tell their stories, and be proud that they survived,” the governor said. -- PIA Ilocos Norte