Being the town from where the first Covid-19 case of Ifugao was recorded, Lamut is determined to keep its current four cases under control, despite the challenges it faces in terms of logistics, location, and the impacts of economy-crippling protocols.
Due to the lack of facilities needed for the quarantine imposed on overseas Filipino workers and residents returning to Lamut who are continuously coming in mostly from Covid-19 hotspot areas in the National Capital Region and other affected places, the municipality has decided to convert its native houses at the town’s tourism village, the agricultural booths used by its 18 barangays, and the trading post near the tourism village as quarantine facilities.
Mayor Mariano B. Buyagawan, Jr. said the facilities initially used for quarantine are already full.
Also, the Department of Education has asked them to vacate the schools temporarily used as quarantine facility in preparation for the opening of classes.
“Nag-iisa lang ang quarantine village namin, ‘yung tourism site na may mga native houses at ‘yun na lang ang ginagamit. Kaya naisip namin na pati ‘yung trading post na katabi ng tourism village ay i-convert natin na quarantine area, pati ang mga agricultural booth na ginagamit ng ating mga barangay tuwing town fiesta para sa kanilang mga products,” Buyagawan said during the briefing aired over Radyo Pilipinas.
He said they converted the agri booths into concrete structures for additional quarantine areas.
Buyagawan said the trading post, on the other hand, is still undergoing construction but they were constrained to use it as stopover point of traders and buyers of products coming from Tinoc, Kiangan, Asipulo, Banaue, and Hungduan and some from Nueva Vizcaya who were affected when the Luzon-wide community quarantine was imposed.
“Itinigil ito eventually dahil ginawa na itong quarantine facility para matugunan ang napakarami pang kababayan na nagnanais umuwi saating bayan,” he said.
Due to its experience of recording OFW Covid-19 case that initially underwent quarantine and tested negative upon arrival in the country and later tested positive when they returned to the province, Buyagawan said the LGU requires all those returning home to undergo another quarantine to ensure the town will no longer have new cases.
As the main entry point to Ifugao and with two other provincial roads that can be used to enter the province, Buyagawan said they had a hard time checking those passing through and going to the province.
“Kaya ang ginawa natin sa dalawang provincial road, binakuran natin; practically tinabunan muna dahil makukulangan kami ng manpower. Nag-concentrate kami sa main highway, para doon na lang sila dadaan at ma-check ang pagpasok ng ating mga kababayan at bisita,” the mayor said.
Buyagawan said they were flatfooted when they had their first positive case, and while they immediately conducted contract tracing, they had a hard time as they had no idea where the patient acquired the virus.
Under the modified general community quarantine, Buyagawan sees hope for recovery through their efforts to get back on track while the pandemic is not yet over.
Buyagawan said their economy is now open with stakeholders observing health and safety protocols.
“Malaking tulong ito. Umiikot na ang mga produkto, and at least meron nang trabaho especially sa business sector, at nakakabenta na sila ng mga produkto nila,” he said.
He thanked the frontliners and their emergency management team who have been leading the management of the patients and implementation of protocols since their first positive case. – Hanna C. Lacsamana
