Barangay captains and representatives of seven barangays in Bacolod – hailed for their strict implementation of COVID-19 minimum health protocols – shared their best practices with the Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF) at the Government Center Tuesday, November 17.
These barangays are 11, 12, 22, 24, Felisa, Alangilan, and Montevista. Most of them have been declared “COVID-free” for over 40 days, according to the data from the EOC.
The barangay officials, upon invitation by the EOC, shared to the deputies and personnel their “best practices” in helping contain the spread of the viral disease, a press release from the Bacolod Information Office said.
“The strategies and expertise of each barangay are crucial. We hope to learn from their stories and for them to be an inspiration to everyone,” said Dr. Chris Sorongon, deputy medical for data analysis and assessment of the EOC-TF.
Punong Barangay Diosdado Mayo of Barangay 22 said he usually asks cooperation from his constituents, especially when it comes to the most basic protocols of social distancing and wearing of masks and face shields.
Punong Barangay Ramon Jardin of Barangay Felisa, meanwhile, said his village has established a “One Command Center” for better data management.
Jardin also took note of appointing “output-oriented” individuals as members of their Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT).
Barangay Montevista, on the other hand, is focused on the enforcement of curfew. Punong Barangay Glo-ann Tambasenn said they always see to it that “establishments prone to breach of protocols” – like the gym, tennis courts and plaza – are regularly checked.
“We also require our BHERTs to always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in any of their transactions. We are also thankful for the donations made by Montevista citizens to people in the lockdown areas,” Tambasen said.
Punong Barangay Degie Tanista Sr. of Barangay Alangilan said that he is “proud” of his “well-behaved” citizens. Tanista added that his constituents also “make sure to take care of [others living in] the lockdown areas.”
Being a center of commerce, Barangay 24 is extra strict in implementing minimum health protocols. The barangay also provides its citizens with vitamins, face masks and face shields, the press release said.
Meanwhile, Barangay 11 is enforcing stringent protocols when it comes to entry of people from other barangays.
“Only organic boardinghouse occupants are allowed. We also have barangay personnel monitoring the area until 12 midnight,” said Barangay 11 Acting Punong Barangay Loynnie Grace Morales.
Barangay 12, where the Central Market and downtown area are located, was represented by Jan Cordova. According to him, barangay officials are conducting house-to-house visits in their two puroks.
“Since the last locally stranded individual (LSI) from Cebu in March, Barangay 12 no longer accepts any boarding house occupants,” Cordova added.
Dr. Sorongon said the EOC-TF hopes that these barangays sustain their momentum in halting the spread of COVID. “They all have presence, visibility, and enforcement in their own barangays. They all consider personally visiting their areas for better implementation of protocols,” Sorongon added.*