MANILA – Following the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded local government units on Sunday to ensure that health regulations are rigorously adhered in all evacuation sites.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Ao issued this comment following previous concerns raised by Dr. Tony Leachon, a former adviser to the National Task Force against Coronavirus-19, regarding the risk of a surge in coronavirus infections in evacuation centers.
According to Año, strict adherence to health protocols in evacuation centers is being supervised in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH).
He also stated that sanitary items used by evacuees must be replaced on a regular basis as part of health regulations.
“Members of LESUs (local epidemiology and surveillance units) and contact tracers are also on alert to trace any probable case,’’ Año said.
Despite the damage inflicted by “Odette”, he stressed that the government’s top priority is to safeguard “the health of our constituents”.
The DILG chief said all local chief executives (LCEs) in typhoon-affected areas are accounted for.
“Out of 1,025 LCEs, 14 lang naman ang wala and they are accounted naman meaning may reasons why they are not around (during Typhoon Odette) (Out of the 1,025 LCEs only 14 were missing in action and they are accounted for, meaning they have reasons for their absence),’’ Año said.
However, he stated that they will continue to investigate the LCEs’ explanation in order to verify that the reason for their absence is reasonable and to ascertain if there were any negligence on their part.
