SB to Magalong: Recall Baguio, Itogon travel ban
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet –
Authorities bared Benguet recorded 1,441 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 817
active, 619 recoveries and 14 deaths as of Nov. 4 even as provincial and nearby
Baguio officials were at odds on how to address the situation.
Despite the spike in cases, Gov. Melchor Diclas, a doctor said, “We are suggesting for mass testing to be delayed as there are still no facilities (to accommodate patients). BCDA (Bases Conversion Development Authority) is scheduled on Thursday in Itogon. If we can talk to them to hold the testing and only test those who are close contacts and persons who are symptomatic.”
The governor’s comment drew criticism from netizens majority of whom said testing should continue to determine the real situation while politics should be put aside in addressing the pandemic.
This, as the Sangguniang Bayan of Itogon, Benguet urged Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong to recall his advisory restricting access between Baguio City and nearby Itogon that took effect on Nov. 3 due to drastic increase of Covid-19 cases in the mining town.
Officials said they understand the predicament of the city in protecting its people by controlling the entry of residents of the town but added the temporary restriction poses an additional burden for the people of Itogon.
“Itogon is located in a very close proximity to the City of Baguio and the people of Itogon since time immemorial have considered the City of Baguio as the source of basic and essential needs, especially for food and medical supplies, as well as their source of employment and income and, at the same time, a place where our people go for education,” the resolution said.
Godio said the issuance of the advisory of Magalong was abrupt and the community was not informed.
“We understand the predicament of the City of Baguio to protect its people. That is why we are appealing that they ease restrictions. Rest assured, we in the LGU (local government unit), we will do our best to control the spread of the virus,” Godio added.
In the advisory signed by Magalong on November 2, as per discussion with Palangdan, residents of the town going to Baguio City will have temporary restricted access, while Baguio residents were also advised to limit travel to Itogon.
A huge number of Itogon residents work in Baguio City and depend on the city for essential needs, like food and medicines, the resolution said.
The resolution was forwarded to the city mayor’s office.
After surge in Covid-19 cases the past two weeks, Itogon posted no infection on Nov. 3, but will still address 427 active cases, Mayor Victor Palangdan said.
Palangdan said active cases were confined at isolation and treatment facilities: Itogon (Malasin), Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. (ISRI) facility, RHS, Virac Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF), Benguet Corp. Facility, Provincial TTMF, Itogon District Hospital, and private hospitals.
Palangdan said there were confirmed asymptomatic cases but these self-isolated since all isolation facilities were full.
He said the municipal health office is monitoring cases with the Regional Task Force on Covid-19.
The Itogon MHO said surge of positive cases occurred only in two barangays, which were immediately placed under lockdown concentrating in affected sitios.
There was a rise in confirmed cases in Barangay Poblacion, with 104 cases and Barangay Virac with 273 after mass testing was conducted at Benguet Corp.
As of Nov. 3, the town had a total of 514 confirmed cases, 427 active, 82 recovered, and four deaths.
According to Magalong, he and Palangdan earlier agreed Baguio should temporarily restrict entry and exit of Itogon residents into the city.
Magalong said only Itogon residents or workers, who are Authorized Persons Outside Residents (APORs), will be allowed to enter and leave the city but must present valid government identification proving address in Itogon, Benguet; proof of employment or business in Baguio City, company ID, certificate of employment, business permit, medical certificate issued by the Municipal Health Office of Itogon, stating that the worker is neither a possible, probable, or suspect case of Covid-19 and that the person has not exhibited flu-like symptoms in the last seven days.
In case the worker does not have a medical certificate, the person will be directed to the city’s Central Triage Unit at the Baguio Convention Center for health assessment.
For Itogon residents needing medical attention; he or she should present their valid ID and doctor’s referral slip and confirmation of medical appointment.
Despite the spike in cases, Gov. Melchor Diclas, a doctor said, “We are suggesting for mass testing to be delayed as there are still no facilities (to accommodate patients). BCDA (Bases Conversion Development Authority) is scheduled on Thursday in Itogon. If we can talk to them to hold the testing and only test those who are close contacts and persons who are symptomatic.”
The governor’s comment drew criticism from netizens majority of whom said testing should continue to determine the real situation while politics should be put aside in addressing the pandemic.
This, as the Sangguniang Bayan of Itogon, Benguet urged Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong to recall his advisory restricting access between Baguio City and nearby Itogon that took effect on Nov. 3 due to drastic increase of Covid-19 cases in the mining town.
Officials said they understand the predicament of the city in protecting its people by controlling the entry of residents of the town but added the temporary restriction poses an additional burden for the people of Itogon.
“Itogon is located in a very close proximity to the City of Baguio and the people of Itogon since time immemorial have considered the City of Baguio as the source of basic and essential needs, especially for food and medical supplies, as well as their source of employment and income and, at the same time, a place where our people go for education,” the resolution said.
Godio said the issuance of the advisory of Magalong was abrupt and the community was not informed.
“We understand the predicament of the City of Baguio to protect its people. That is why we are appealing that they ease restrictions. Rest assured, we in the LGU (local government unit), we will do our best to control the spread of the virus,” Godio added.
In the advisory signed by Magalong on November 2, as per discussion with Palangdan, residents of the town going to Baguio City will have temporary restricted access, while Baguio residents were also advised to limit travel to Itogon.
A huge number of Itogon residents work in Baguio City and depend on the city for essential needs, like food and medicines, the resolution said.
The resolution was forwarded to the city mayor’s office.
After surge in Covid-19 cases the past two weeks, Itogon posted no infection on Nov. 3, but will still address 427 active cases, Mayor Victor Palangdan said.
Palangdan said active cases were confined at isolation and treatment facilities: Itogon (Malasin), Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. (ISRI) facility, RHS, Virac Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF), Benguet Corp. Facility, Provincial TTMF, Itogon District Hospital, and private hospitals.
Palangdan said there were confirmed asymptomatic cases but these self-isolated since all isolation facilities were full.
He said the municipal health office is monitoring cases with the Regional Task Force on Covid-19.
The Itogon MHO said surge of positive cases occurred only in two barangays, which were immediately placed under lockdown concentrating in affected sitios.
There was a rise in confirmed cases in Barangay Poblacion, with 104 cases and Barangay Virac with 273 after mass testing was conducted at Benguet Corp.
As of Nov. 3, the town had a total of 514 confirmed cases, 427 active, 82 recovered, and four deaths.
According to Magalong, he and Palangdan earlier agreed Baguio should temporarily restrict entry and exit of Itogon residents into the city.
Magalong said only Itogon residents or workers, who are Authorized Persons Outside Residents (APORs), will be allowed to enter and leave the city but must present valid government identification proving address in Itogon, Benguet; proof of employment or business in Baguio City, company ID, certificate of employment, business permit, medical certificate issued by the Municipal Health Office of Itogon, stating that the worker is neither a possible, probable, or suspect case of Covid-19 and that the person has not exhibited flu-like symptoms in the last seven days.
In case the worker does not have a medical certificate, the person will be directed to the city’s Central Triage Unit at the Baguio Convention Center for health assessment.
For Itogon residents needing medical attention; he or she should present their valid ID and doctor’s referral slip and confirmation of medical appointment.
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