AGSUR GUV HIGHLIGHTS STAKEHOLDER’S EFFORTS TO ADDRESS COVID-19 PANDEMIC

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

In his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Thursday, June 17, Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane, Jr., highlighted the concerted efforts and initiatives of the provincial government together with its partner stakeholders to survive from the daily challenges brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

He emphasized how the local chief executives from the 13 municipalities and one city, barangay officials, along with its partners from the academe, civil society organizations, religious and business sectors, and IP communities, among others converged their efforts and continue to extend help to the government in addressing poverty reduction and the current COVID-19 pandemic. “The establishment of the Provincial Molecular Laboratory was made possible because of the good working relationship of the provincial government with various sectors. This also includes the procurement of the 28 Patient Transport Vehicles for the LGUs which are useful in this time of health crisis, and even the construction of the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor D.O. Plaza Sports Complex,” he said.

Gov. Cane expressed his thanks to all the past and present government officials of the province for they have helped and contributed to the progress and milestones of the province. He also acknowledged President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his administration’s contributions that have brought the province to where it is now amid challenges and health crisis.

He also bared the major challenges and setbacks in the year 2020, especially during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Poverty incidence still remains high. There was a 3.62% decrease in poverty incidence or equivalent to 2,521 poor households who graduated from poverty from the year 2015 to 2018. Agusan del Sur has still a long way to go in reducing high poverty incidence in the province,” he said.

Cane also said the province has P15.2 billion total development investments for the year 2020. Out of the P15.2 billion, the Social Development Sector has the largest contribution of P7.4 billion. “The provincial government with the help of other government agencies was able to establish its Provincial Health Office – Operation Center and Provincial Quarantine Facility to address the COVID-19 issues and concerns in the province,” he said.

He added that under the Social Development Sector, the Department of Health (DOH) has provided P269 million total investments for health development programs and projects in the province. The department has also provided 292 human resources for health on contract of service and five doctors to the barrios. He also thanked the Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation for allotting P325 million total investments on health insurance coverage for all AgSurnons, and the ‘No Balance Billing’ and guarantees continuing coverage for COVID-19 patients.

“The provincial health office along with the medical/ health workers had been efficiently performing their tasks and responsibilities despite limited manpower. The D.O. Plaza Hospital Molecular Laboratory has already two RT-PCR machines and one fully automated RNA extraction machine for AgSurnons and even for those outside the province who would need the lab test. The results are also made available at the soonest possible time,” he said.

Gov. Cane explained that the extension of the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in the province after June 30 will greatly depend on the status of the COVID-19 cases. “People’s cooperation in the observance/practice of the imposed health protocols to prevent the transmission of the deadly virus would significantly affect what community quarantine status will be observed in the province. Our frontliners had been working hard to keep our people safe, hence, we all have to support them in any way possible,” he said.

He further called on all AgSurnons to get vaccinated not only to protect themselves but also those people surrounding them. He emphasized that the vaccines provided by the government are all safe. “The government intends that we at least achieve the 70% herd immunity. Most of those who spread fake news about the vaccines are the ones who were also infected with the virus because they themselves do not believe and do not follow the health protocols,” he said. (JPG/PIACaraga)