Itogon posts 227 Covid cases; Tuba rises to 156

By Carlito Dar

ITOGON, Benguet – Itogon has now 227 Covid-19 confirmed cases that include 168 active cases while Tuba has a total of 191 confirmed cases with 156 active cases, Cordillera Disaster Office data as of Oct. 26 showed.
    Following this, the Cordillera Regional Task Force Covid – 19 and Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council set strict monitoring and response support to address increase of Covid-19 cases in said towns.
    CDRRMC chairperson and Office of Civil Defense regional director Albert Mogol convened RTF meeting Oct. 25 while CRDRRMC vice chairperson for disaster response and DSWD Cordillera director Leo Quintilla met members to discuss plan for ImPlan “Tugon” (Tuba and Itogon).
    Extensive contact tracing and expanded risk – based testing are on in both municipalities particularly areas where clustering of cases were noted like mining communities and bunk houses.
    The RTF aims to provide technical assistance to affected local government units in responding to the situation, augment their resources and logistics in terms of temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, personal protective equipment and health personnel.
    Quintilla said the DSWD will bring food and non – food items under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) Program and emergency subsidy under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act for the poor and low – income households in areas declared under granular lockdown.
    The DSWD is now preparing family food packs for affected towns.
    A total of 1,000 food packs was initially   set for Itogon and 500 for Tubaalong with deployment of personnel who will closely coordinate and work with local governments, Quintilla said.  
    Mogol coordinated with the National DRRM Council for delivery of 10,000 sets of PPEs to augment the needs of Itogon and Tuba’s frontliners and regional task force.
    Mogol also led inspection and coordination meeting Tuesday with Itogon Municipal DRRM Council headed by Mayor Victorio Palangdan. -- JDP/CCD-PIA CAR