Schools must be last resort in search for quarantine facilities, says NTF spox

Schools should only be converted into quarantine facilities in areas where there are no lodging establishments like hotels or motels, the spokesperson of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 urged local authorities on Wednesday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, retired Major General Restituto Padilla acknowledged that there are some areas where schools are used as quarantine facilities but stressed that the first priority should still be lodging establishments.

“As much as possible po, kung sa lugar na maaaring hindi naman gamitin ang eskwelahan, ang ginagamit po natin is ‘yung mga hotel, motel, at iba pang lodging facilities. ‘Yan po kasi ang mas angkop na lugar,” he said.

“Ang first priority po ay talagang ‘yung mga established lodging areas pero may mga lugar kasi na walang available na ganyang lugar… kaya do’n tayo papasok sa paggamit ng available facilities na ginagamit din natin na evacuation center ‘pag may panahon ng sakuna,” Padilla added.

He also said that health and safety protocols are observed in the conversion of schools into quarantine facilities.

Padilla also said that schools are only used as quarantine facilities by people who are required to undergo 14-day quarantine, and not by ill patients.

Meanwhile, the spokesman said the Department of Education (DepEd) will be given due time to use the schools to prepare for the upcoming school year.

“‘Yung July 31 deadline na sinasabi ng mga lokal na pamahalaan [ay] para mabigyan ng panahon ang DepEd maihanda ang mga eskwelahan para sa kanilang kinakailangan,” he explained.

Padilla added that the national government and the private sector have been working together for the establishment of temporary quarantine facilities like tents in areas where it is needed.

The Philippines has logged more than 83,000 COVID-19 cases with 26,617 recoveries and 1,947 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News