by Cecile Quindara
Baguio mayor Benjamin Magalong ensured both locals and tourists that the city will still be open amidst the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) scare during the Kapihan sa Baguio forum on Thursday, February 6, at the Department of Health – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) Training Center.
Magalong reiterated that even though some government-sponsored activities were postponed, this does not mean that the city will be on lockdown and assured that everyone can still freely visit Baguio anytime.
Furthermore, the mayor said that the postponement of certain events like the opening of the Panagbenga Festival and the Philippine Military Academy Grand Alumni Homecoming are only forms of preventive measures against the threat brought by 2019-nCoV. Despite some negative effects to the city’s tourism, Magalong said he prioritizes the health and welfare of the locals and the visitors.
“Of course, if we have a homecoming, we’ll have thousands of visitors, especially graduates of PMA, including their families and relatives,” Magalong said in the recent Kapihan.
Mayor Magalong discusses the precautionary measures taken by the local government to ensure citizen and tourists' safety.
“Kung nakikita na natin sa global scene and the domestic scene na medyo naa-aggravate, then, we just simply have to… hold off these certain events that would draw huge crowds dito sa siyudad ng Baguio. We’re just being proactive about it. Mabuti na ’yung mag-overreact tayo kaysa naman tayo magsisi sa huli,” he added.
[If we can already see both global and domestic scenes being aggravated, then, we just simply have to … hold off these certain events that would draw huge crowds here in the City of Baguio. We’re just being proactive about it. It’s better that we overreact than regretting in the end.]
In line with the said postponements and the nCoV scare, Magalong clarified that the local government however has no plans on shutting down the Night Market in the meantime.
“One way or the other, we have to put in place a sense of normalcy,” he said. “We cannot simply be hostage to this coronavirus threat. We’re doing everything to make sure that the city is safe.”
Magalong also discussed the city government coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry and other concerned agencies to address the scarcity of face masks in the city and help mitigate the threat caused by 2019-nCoV.
Interagency Task Force for 2019- nCoV composed of the city officials and government agencies has also been established for the prevention of the virus and for preparation in case the city would have its first nCoV case.
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) medical specialist Dr. Christ Jamora said that the hospital will be ready if the city needs to treat and quarantine a patient suspected or positive of the virus.
BGHMC prepared orientation programs for health workers and a systematic incident command system as a form of preparation against nCoV.
Aside from BGHMC, city health officer Dr. Rowena Galpo, also assured that three private hospitals in the city, namely: Pine’s City Doctor’s Hospital, Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital, and SLU Hospital of the Sacred Heart, are prepared with their staffs and facilities to cater to possible confirmed cases and patients under investigation.
As of now, there are still no confirmed cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Baguio, but Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, director of the Center for Health Development – CAR, continues to remind the public to follow and remember the acronym POWER to lessen the possibility of catching the virus.
Practice cough and sneezing etiquette (remember to cover your nose when sneezing or coughing)
Obtain information from verified sources only (e.g. the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO), the City Health Office)
Wash hands frequently
Eat nutritious food and stay hydrated
Refrain from going to crowded places
Edited by Antoinette Mandap
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