Let LHMRH be a Covid-19 extension center in CAR
This has reference to the front page story of the Courier in its May 3 issue titled, “Mass testing causes hike in COVID-19 cases in city.”
I took notice of the statement of the officer-in-charge of the Department of Health-Cordillera, which states: “Department of Health-Cordillera OIC Director Amelita Pangilinan said in the same briefing the spike in cases is due to the implementation of the mass testing being done nationwide, following the agency’s procurement of more testing kits and PCR machines.”
What gave me interest in her statement is “PCR machines,” meaning there could be PCR machines available which could be used by other hospitals in the Cordillera.
In this regard, I am appealing to the good and “exhausted” DOH regional director to lend one PCR machine along with swab kits and manpower to operate the same at the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital (LHMRH).
Why do I suggest LHMRH located at Abatan, Bauko, Mountain Province? It is because Bontoc General Hospital, which is strategically located in the center of the province, is too hot to handle in its situation today.
The provincial government can procure more swab test kits for mass testing because it is financially capable.
Please start mass testing in Sagada. Initial target will be the tourist guides and the hoteliers who catered to hundreds, if not thousands, of foreign and local tourists in January, February, and March before the enhanced community quarantine was declared.
I do not believe that Mountain Province is free from the Covid-19.
The World Health Organization says about 50 percent of the world’s population could be asymptomatic carriers.
If there is an extra PCR machine, then lend it to Ifugao and let health personnel there start the mass testing in Banaue. I strongly believe that when massive testing to identify where the Covid-19 virus is completed, controlling its spread would be easier.
Meanwhile, in addition to my previous letter regarding the substandard river flood control, I was informed that the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera had “arm twisted” the actual contractor of the assailed project into restoring at her own cost the destroyed river flood control, which she did. Through text message, I validated the information was true. I wanted to take photographs of the restored project but the lockdown prevented me from doing so.
Mind you, the contractor who restored the project has millions of collectibles for various projects at the DPWH-CAR, hence, she has no other recourse but to make the remedy at her own expense because the agency can possibly invent reasons and she could not collect payments.
But the restoration of the damaged river flood control will not diminish or extinguish the liability of the DPWH-Cordillera. — JUNIPER DOMINGUEZ, Baguio City