Belmonte forms group to support government isolation efforts

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has created a technical working group to support the national government in implementing its isolation strategy for suspected, probable and confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease.

The group, created through an executive order recently issued by Belmonte, is tasked to coordinate with national government agencies and barangays in the implementation of Oplan Kalinga and other similar initiatives.

“The Quezon City government remains committed to support the national government in its endeavors, provided that proper coordination and safeguards are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of Quezon City,” Belmonte said.

Led by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Oplan Kalinga program seeks to establish isolation and quarantine facilities that would accommodate patients from cities and municipalities that have already reached their capacity.

According to the city government, these programs have not been sufficiently coordinated and resulted in situations that put others at risk, such as instances when patients have been monitored leaving the hotels and mingling with the community.

The technical working group, which Belmonte will personally head, will ensure that safety protocols are followed in implementing isolation and quarantine strategies of the national government.

The group will be in charge of coordinating schedules for hotels in Quezon City to be utilized as isolation or quarantine facilities for national government programs.

It is also tasked to review other arrangements such as security, transportation, waste management, disinfection and provision of food and other essential needs of the patients.

The group will also the conduct final medical assessment and issue a medical certificate before patients are “discharged” from their hotels.