“Making the most out of what technology has to offer.”

That is how members of the Region XII Task force on Covid -19 describe the experience as they held a video conference session last April 3 to tackle major issues in the light of the ongoing community quarantine covering the whole region.

In attendance were sixteen members of the Regional Task Force led by SK Gov. Suharto T. Mangudadatu, Chair of the RTF on Covid 19, Dir. Aristides C. Tan, MD, CESO III of DOH XII, Co-chair, Dir. Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III of DILG XII, co-secretariat of the TF, along with Dir. Minda C. Morante of OCD XII, among others.

The virtual meeting is the TF’s response to the prohibition of gatherings and strict observance of social distancing protocols even among government frontline workers.

Gov. Mangudadatu called the meeting to order at around 9 in the morning on April 3, with all the other members of the 16-panel TF being present via video conference.

“There had been major concerns that we tried to address during the teleconference session and the foremost of them was the smoother checkpoint operations with the PNP now manning them,” declared RD Leysa. The first few days of the implementation of the ECQ, she observed, had been quite disorderly with all the personnel making some adjustments as the systems and guidelines become more established. PNP XII Regional Director PBGEN Alfred S Corpus, who was also present, responded that there had been “lower complaints about the checkpoints and contradicting issuances between LGUs had been ironed out as well, through the close coordination of Rd Leysa and Gov. Teng”. 

Another thing that had caused much concern during the meeting was the reported entry of Filipino Muslims who joined a religious gathering in Sulawesi, Indonesia. These people might have taken the boat ride through Manado and there is a possibility that they could enter the Region through various entry points. 

PCG Commander Paolo Carlo Tiongson, however, gave assurance that Sarangani Bay is ‘guarded’ and up until that meeting there have been ‘no reports of the said delegates entering the AOR.’

DOH RD Tan, meanwhile, updated all attendees that the “PCR (polymerase chain reaction) machine or DNA amplifier in MSU-General Santos City is not yet operational as it is going through self-assessment.” Once it is completed, RITM will have to validate the validity as to its bio-safety procedures.

The matter had been considered as another priority item during the meeting: establishment of a laboratory in the Region that has the potential to be expanded or enhanced for testing center. “This facility is a must, considering that we only have the SPMC (in Davao City) to process and give out test results for Covid-19,” shared RD Leysa. 

As a response, the TF has crafted a resolution expressing support for the quick processing of the accreditation of the testing center. A resolution entitled “Adopting RIATG-EID XII Resolution No. 3, series of 2020, Seeking Immediate Financial Support from the National Government through the DOH for the Establishment and Operationalization of the Cotabato Regional Medical Center and Dr. George Royeca Hospital Testing Center in Gen. Santos City as accredited testing facilities for Covid -19” is expected to receive support from the President itself.