LOCAL government units (LGUs) have the authority to buy their own test kits for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

“Pwede naman sila. Basta bilhin lang nila ‘yung approved ng FDA para meron naman silang kasiguraduhan (They can do that. As long as they buy those that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration so they are assured) as to quality and safety of those tests,” Mr. Duque said in an interview over radio DZBB on Monday.

Chairman of the Union of the Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., in a separate interview over the same radio station, asked the national government to allow LGUs to procure their own kits to fast-track the testing of persons under investigation (PUIs) and those under monitoring (PUM).

He said current rules prohibit local governments from using public funds for the test kits.

“Kaya po ni-ri-request namin, itong public funds po na sa ngayon ay hindi pa po ina-allow ay payagan na pong ipambili nitong (That is why we are making the request, as of now it is not allowed to use public funds to buy) rapid screening test,” Mr. Velasco said.

He said it is important in managing the situation to immediately determine which ones among the PUIs and PUM are actually positive of COVID-19.

Mr. Duque, however, cautioned that LGUs should follow biosafety standards and to designate proper biosafety infrastructures and manpower to facilitate the testing.

ILOILO CITY

Iloilo City has already purchased 2,500 test kits from South Korea using a P5.5 million fund donated by local businesses.

“Here in Iloilo City, the private sector came up with the funds for us to be able to buy test kits from Korea.
Masks are also given by the private sector. Now we see a lot of private sector, working together to produce improvised personal protective equipment for medical frontliners,” Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said during an international teleconference last week.

The mayor served as one of the reactors and the representative of LGUs in the first session of a webinar entitled “Expert Dialogue on Resilience, Public Health, and Human Security” organized by the National Resilience Council in partnership with ARISE Philippines, Zuellig Family Foundation, and the Makati Business Club.

The Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City has been accredited by the Department of Health (DoH) as a testing laboratory for COVID-19.

Mr. Treñas lamented the national government’s lack of clear guidance and direction for LGUs on the COVID-19 response.

“We feel that we are isolated, no clear directions have been given to us on what should be done and what should be undertaken… There is a need for communication, for those in charge to continuously communicate the issues affecting the LGUs,” he said.

RED CROSS

Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is determined to have its testing center in Metro Manila operational by Wednesday, its chairman said on Monday.

“In so far as the other test centers are concerned, I’m forcing the issue, Wednesday dapat bukas na tayo (we should be open),” Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman of PRC, said during the Laging Handa virtual press briefing.

The PRC laboratory was at stage 3 of 5 in the accreditation process as of April 6, based on the DoH report on COVID-19 laboratory capacities.

Stage 3 involves the three-day training of laboratory personnel. Under stage 4, the laboratory’s positive results are still subject to confirmatory testing by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. Stage 5 is full operations.

The PRC center has two machines capable of testing a combined 2,000 samples per day.

Mr. Gordon said the organization is also looking at establishing more testing centers in Luzon, Central Visayas and Mindanao.

CABARROGUIS, Quirino, April 5 (PIA)—Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) yesterday wrote to President Rodrigo Duterte to recommend some policies for the consideration of the Inter-Agency Task Force.

“Our country cannot afford economic downturn and social disintegration which economic experts considered as consequences of prolonged enhance community quarantine,” Cua said.

Cua who also chairs the National League of the Province of the Philippines recommended that local government units with the help of National Government Agencies and Department of Health be allowed to assess and determine the true state or condition within their localities.

“Self-Assessment should open the possibility of either retaining or easing mobility restrictions and serve as a basis for the extent of social amelioration measure vis-a-vis a declaration of enhanced or general community quarantine, Cua said.

Also, NGAs concerned should prepare appropriate protocols that lift restrictions on certain activities and business operations given the possibility of improved situation in some parts of Luzon in the coming days.

Cua also said the DOH should establish the guidelines at the workplace or public spaces, e.g., surface disinfection and personal hygiene, physical distancing and area ventilation; the Department of Transportation should issue authority for protected shuttling of workers or limited operation of sanitized public transport.

On the other hand, the NEDA, DTI, DOF, and DA should prioritize industries for the immediate resumption and the Department of Public Works and Highways, National Irrigation Administration and other concerned national agencies should find a workable solution and identify vital and critical infrastructure projects that should proceed.

Furthermore, Cua pushed for Design Distance Learning Systems taking into consideration the technological advancement available today. He encouraged the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technology Education and Skills Development Authority, and Private Learning Institution to design and adopt education systems and curricula that will enable Filipino students to avail of distance learning alternatives when possible.

“The Department of Information and Communications Technology must expedite the rollout of the National Broadband Plan in order to provide connectivity to the farthest reaches of the nation,” Cua said.

Likewise, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) may revisit spectrum management policies to enable micro-telco entities, as well as, large telcos to serve the underserved and remote communities. The NTC may, likewise, exercise regulatory functions to ensure affordability and reliability of internet Service Providers,” Cua further said.

Cua lauded PRRD’s administration for its seamless work with the full support of government officials, both at the national and subnational levels, alongside members of the civil society, academe, and business sector, seamlessly work and cooperate together to overcome the COVID-19 contagion in order to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the health crisis.

“On the behalf of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, I express utmost appreciation and gratitude to all our unsung heroes,” Cua said.

Cua also aired the clamor from the grassroots, all the way to the municipal, city and province-wide level, for a gradual shift to a normal way of life knowing that the government is keen on striking a balance between safeguarding the health, security, and welfare of the people and ensuring the protection of the economy and other strategic sectors.

“As the representative of the local executives and official, I share the apprehension and sentiments of the different sectors that comprise our LGUs. In addressing this health crisis, there is no argument that the well-being of our constituents is foremost but with equal importance is the nation’s socio-economic stability,” Cua further said.

Cua had sought PRRD’s favorable consideration as he assured full support from ULAP and the local government leagues to end the health crisis.