Navotas barangay officer, kin experience discrimination after testing positive for COVID-19

Despite her service to the community, a barangay officer and her family experienced discrimination at the hands of police officers after they tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

On the latest episode of “Survivors” Thursday, Romena Batoy Matik, a former GMA location manager, said she worked as an anti-drug abuse council focal person for Barangay North Bay Boulevard in Navotas City.

Being a barangay officer, she was part of the team that went around to distribute aid to the residents, increasing her risk of exposure to the virus.

“Tumulong na po ako sa barangay namin para mamigay ng mga relief,” she said.

“Nag-assist ako kasi pila-pila sila diyan sa harap na wala namang harang kasi nandodoon kami sa loob ng stage. Kailangan namin isuong ’yung aming trabaho, ang aming posisyon, para lang makapagsilbi sa aming mga kabarangay.”

Soon, Romena’s father, a barangay traffic enforcer, showed symptoms of COVID-19.

On April 26, he began losing energy.

“Cinelebrate pa namin ’yung birthday niya rito sa bahay ko. Pumunta pa rito ang father ko pero hindi na siya masigla,” said Romena.

“Kinabukasan, 27, Monday, may lagnat siya, masama na pakiramdam niya.”

On May 6, he was tested for COVID-19. The next day, he died.

“Ang sakit-sakit,” said Romena. “Sobrang sakit kasi ang sigla-sigla pa ng papa ko eh. Hindi mo siya makitaan na sa katandaan niya, 69, 70 years old.”

Although they did not receive her father’s results until after two months, Romena and her family had to be tested.

“So May 13, sinwab po kami. Pinuntahan kaming lahat dito sa bahay, 17 po kami rito sa bahay lahat, kasama ’yung kapatid ng papa ko,” she said.

Their results came in on May 16, showing 10 out of 17 family members had COVID-19.

That night, they were brought to an isolation facility at Navotas Polytechnic College.

While they were in isolation, Romena said police officers came to their house to place a barricade and padlock their gate, while some of her family members remained inside.

“Bigla nilang nilagyan ng barricade, parang ’yung caution ’yung sa crime scene. Ipa-padlock daw nila ’yung gate namin. Lalagyan daw nila ng tali para daw alam ng tao na ’yung bahay na ’yun na meron daw nag-positive,” said Romena.

She said she felt helpless that her two sisters left alone in the house were treated with discrimination.

“Sila ’yung inanohan ng mga pulis na lagyan daw ng tali para raw hindi makalabas,” said Romena.

Upon learning the news, she immediately called the barangay captain, who said they weren’t aware of the situation.

“Sa kanila pa nanggaling ’yung discrimination kaya naiiyak lang ako noon sa isolation kasi ’yung pinagsilbihan ng papa ko for 30 years, ’yun din ’yung nandidiri. Sabihan na natin nandidiri, natatakot dahil sa virus na ’yan,” said Romena.

Road to recovery

Brangay North Bay Boulevard Proper is one of the areas in Navotas hit hardest by the pandemic, according to barangay captain Elvis Desabille.

The barangay once had the highest number of cases in the city. Today, they have around 57 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

“Ang amin pong mga residente, napakarami po. Dikit-dikit po ’yung bahay dito sa amin,” he said.

Romena also said that their barangay was extremely populated. “Dito sa lugar namin, sa sobrang dami ng mga bata, kahit anong saway mo sa mga tao rito, patuloy pa rin. Halos malapit lang din kami sa palengke na sobra ring daming tao pag namimili sila. Kaya hindi maiiwasan maging prone (to exposure).”

Fortunately for the family, after staying for a month in the isolation facility, they were finally cleared to leave and go back home.

“Parang ’yung naramdaman ko na lang, lumaya ako,” said Romena. “Ang natutunan ko po nung nasa isolation ako alagaan po ’yung sarili. Kumain ng tama, kumain ng mga prutas, uminom ng maraming tubig, wag magpupuyat, kailangan mong uminom ng vitamins para lumakas po ’yung … panlaban (natin) sa COVID.”

She urged her neighbors to continue practicing social distancing and to always wear a mask. – RC, GMA News