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Tamayo appeals for cooperation from LSIs and ROFs, warns cases will be filed against violators

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Tamayo appeals for cooperation from LSIs and ROFs, warns cases will be filed against violators

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. 

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 15 (PIA) –  South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. once again appealed for strict adherence to quarantine protocols from  repatriated locally stranded individuals (LSI) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) following reports of breaches to guidelines.

In Banga town, an ROF who was sent home for continued quarantine broke protocol by mingling with family members and marrying her partner on July 10 while she was supposedly still under sequestration.

The ROF, a 31-year old female with history of travel from Kuwait and Metro Manila, tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on July 11.  

The patient, her husband, and their one-month child are now confined at the municipal isolation facility.

This incident prompted Banga Mayor Albert Palencia to declare a five-day lockdown of Sitio Awal in Barangay Lamba until July 18.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Health Office immediately conduct contact tracing.  At least 25 persons, most of whom attended the wedding ceremony, have already been identified and are being closely monitored.

However, Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., provincial health officer, said in a press conference Tuesday that the Integrated Provincial Office has recommended extending the localized lockdown to at least 14 days considering the incubation period of the virus.

According to reports, another individual, an official of a cooperative, also broke protocols when he did not get on the vehicle sent by the provincial government to fetch ROFs and LSIs, Instead, the person rode on a vehicle of a friend to proceed to Koronadal City,  

Governor Tamayo pointed out that such violations endanger South Cotabato and its residents and jeopardize more than three months of efforts of the provincial government and local government units to prevent the spread of COVID 19.

“I have nothing against against the repatration of our residents. I did not complain when the national government sent them home. We accepted them. As I have always said we love them, we accept them. The problem is some of them did not follow protocols and went out of their community. We do not know if they are positive or negative (for COVID-19). If they turn out positive, that would be a problem for all of us,” Gov. Tamayo said.

“This is why I call on all South Cotabateños especially the LSIs and ROFs as well as the different local government units to practice quarantine protocols and implement proper isolation of those who tested positive,” he added.

He also reminded LGUs and commercial establishments to use the South Cotabato Contact Tracing System (SC-CCTS).

During the presser, Tamayo confirmed that he has ordered tracing of all LSIs and ROFs who have gone out of their quarantine facilities prior to completion of mandatory 14-day quarantine.

He warned the provincial government will file cases against them for violating  Republic Act 9271 (Quarantine Act of 2004)  and Republic Act 11332 (Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases).

“This also serves as a warning to all the returning LSIs and ROFs who will not adhere to our protocols: We will file a case against you for putting at stake the entire province of South Cotabato,” he said.

Data from the Integrated Provincial Health Office indicated that as of July 12, a total of 4,645 South Cotabateños have been repatriated. Of this number, 4,040 are LSIs and  605 are ROFs.

Among them, 3,575 have already completed obligatory quarantine either at home or in facilities designated by the LGU.

Dr. Aturdido noted that since January 29, South Cotabato has recorded 32 confirmed COVID-19 cases all with travel history outside the province. Seventeen have already recovered from the viral disease.

Of the 32 COVID-19 confirmed cases, 28 are classified as repatriates, Aturdido  said. (DED-PIA XII)

   

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