The National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 conducted a Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) team visit in Baguio City, which they see as a possible model city for transitioning to the new normal.
During the CODE team visit, NTF Against Covid-19 deputy chief implementer Sec. Vivencio Dizon lauded Baguio for being a model city in implementing the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) strategy and hoped to become a model city transitioning to the new normal.
He urged the public to continue following the minimum public health standards (MPHS) and get vaccinated, noting as the country adjusts to its new normal, restoring livelihood and business revenues is a top priority.
“Despite the need to return to the new normal, we must remain vigilant and vaccinate our target population. Take the lead in encouraging your constituents to get vaccinated, and bring the vaccines to them. To our local chief executives, please help us persuade them that vaccines are both safe and effective. We recognize that there may be some cultural and religious tensions, but it is for their own safety,” he said.
Contact tracing czar and Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city government is now working on several programs to make sure the city will create an enabling environment for business and tourism to thrive and for the people to learn and internalize the new normal.
“Our city has an advantage because we have a cooperative community, compliant residents, dynamic regional line agencies, and local government units that practice good governance and I hope that continued support for these government programs will speed up our road to recovery,” he said.
Albert Mogol, RTF chair and Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera director, in his message, stressed the importance of bringing vaccines closer to the community and conducting a massive vaccination information drive for the region to move from pandemic to endemic stage of the virus.
“Our barangay officials are the key to the success of our vaccination campaign. We need to guide them, provide the needed resources and encourage the public to get vaccinated. If some of us are not yet vaccinated, there is still a threat. The RLAs are here to provide you support and assistance,” he said.
Araceli San Jose, RIATF chair and Department of the Interior and Local Government-Cordillera director, emphasized that with the participation and support of LGUs and other stakeholders and the strong commitment of every Cordilleran in taking extra precautionary measures against the Covid-19, the region will be able to maneuver the risks involved and bounce back to a better new normal.
“Together, let us help the government to further reach our people who need to be vaccinated so that we can all be safe. We should not be complacent either. Let us also continue to adhere to MPHS, particularly when it comes to the proper use of face masks. Take extra precautions on a regular basis. This is now our new normal – our new reality – our new way of life. We’ll keep doing this until we’re all off the hook.” San Jose said. – Pamela Geminiano
April 20, 2024
