AgSur town implements strict health protocols due to high local transmission cases in nearby LGUs

With the increasing number of local transmission cases in its nearby municipalities, the local government unit of Rosario in the province of Agusan del Sur has geared up the implementation of strict health protocols at the checkpoint.

By Jennifer P. Gaitano Even for those who will just pass through the boundary going to other municipalities are still required to undergo the health monitoring procedure at the quarantine control points. They will be asked to present their identification card and health declaration or medical certificate as proofs that they are not person under monitoring (PUM) or person under investigation (PUI). Checking of body temperature is also done. For those with incomplete documents, they are automatically

denied entry in the municipality of Rosario in view of the marching orders at the control checkpoint. Dr. Rebecca Aquino, municipal health officer of Rosario, clarified that in this way, the LGU could properly manage the crisis situation and easily tract those who are possible carriers of the virus. “This health

declaration form is for easier conduct of contact tracing. Should there be people who have gone to a place with confirmed positive cases, it would be easier for our municipal health office to conduct the contact tracing and let the identified individuals undergo the quarantine or we could easily follow them up,” added Dr. Aquino.

As of October 18, no COVID-19 active case was recorded while 12 have already recovered in Rosario. Apart from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) personnel are also involved in the daily operation at the checkpoint. “Our function at the checkpoint is to assist the PNP, BFP in the conduct of thermal scanning and assist the travelers as they fill-out the health declaration form. We also monitor those who travel outside the municipality from the different barangays as each barangay has data on the number of residents traveling in a day,” bared Lolito Idpalina, MDRRMORosario. With this, the local government unit is continuously reminding the public to wear their face mask and face shield and observe social distancing to avert the spread of COVID-19. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)