DILG-10 to LGUs: seek aid from natl govt during lockdown

LOCAL government officials could seek assistance anytime from line agencies of the national government during their imposition of strict quarantine measures, said regional head of the interior and local government (DILG-10) earlier today.

DILG-10 said local officials can coordinate to the concerned national line agencies for areas with the implementation of zoning containment strategy with high coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 cases.

DILG-10 regional director Arnel Agabe said the Regional Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF-EID) has already reminded the national line agencies on their roles on the implementation of focus containment or localized lockdowns in certain areas. 

In a press briefing, Agabe said the LGU has already coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 for the provision of food packs.

He cited some 3,200 to 3,300 affected families in Alae, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, with the implementation of localized lockdown in their  Barangay. 

He said the LGU has noted clusters of COVID-19 cases in the area.

"Sa critical zone, ang macovered lang ana katong index households nga identified as under the enhanced community quarantine," Agabe said.

Only few residents are affected in the neighborhood, which are part of the critical zone, according to Agabe.

Since technically these households are unable to purchase basic goods, the LGU should be able to respond accordingly and tap appropriate government agencies for assistance. 

The zoning containment strategy follows the National Task Force on COVID-19’s Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treatment-Reintegration (PDITR) strategy. 

It is applied to identify focused areas for implementation of varying levels of quarantine, depending on the risk and stage of transmission prevalent in the area by the local task forces according to the directives stated in Executive Order No. 112 s. 2020 and the IATF-EID Resolution No. 37 s. 2020.

Through zoning containment, LGUs will be able to design and implement interventions that do not cause enormous strain to economies, compromising people’s goodwill and emotional well-being, and undermining people’s resilience. (Recthie Tolinero/PIA10)