NTF commits to build more COVID-19 quarantine facilities in Laguna

The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 has committed to put up more quarantine facilities in Laguna for patients who have contracted the disease but are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.

In a statement on Saturday, NTF deputy chief implementer and testing czar Secretary Vince Dizon said the national government will take steps in converting the Cabuyao Athletes Basic School as an additional isolation facility in the city with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The NTF had convened with the local governments of Cabuyao and San Pablo City as well as its stakeholders to boost their partnership and coordination in responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

“Kailangan po in place ang ating mga sistema simula sa private companies, local government unit, hanggang sa level ng barangays. At bibigyan po ng national government ang local government ng kagamitan para labanan ang COVID-19,” Dizon said.

Dizon is optimistic that the willingness of local government units to partner with the national government will help facilitate the implementation of thrusts of the National Action Plan against infectious diseases.

He added that the NTF will continue coming up with initiatives to protect the welfare of vulnerable sectors.

“Kailangang maintindihan natin na ang ginagawa po natin ngayon ay giyera [We have to understand that what we are doing right now is war],” Dizon said.

For his part, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, who was recently designated as NTF overseer in Laguna, also assured support for the local governments in Laguna in fighting COVID-19.

“We are committed to supporting the local government units in Laguna and we will continue to engage the provincial government in monitoring the progress of the province as we assist them towards their full recovery," he said. —LBG, GMA News