Incineration of COVID-19 patient's belongings alarms Marilao locals

Several residents of a subdivision in Barangay Loma de Gato in Marilao, Bulacan were alarmed after they found out that local government officials had incinerated a COVID-19 patient's belongings in a nearby vacant lot.

According to a 24 Oras report by Cedric Castillo on Monday, barangay officials set fire to the items so that the virus would not further spread in the area.

However, several residents of the subdivision complained, pointing out that they were not informed of the matter.

“Ang worry namin, mga gamit ng COVID victim ‘yon so nandoon ‘yong notion na paano kung ma-virus din kami, nagkagulo eh. Siyempre nag-panic kaming lahat, bakit ganoon? Sumama loob namin, hindi ba kami maapektuhan doon sa nangyari?,” a resident said.

Barangay Chairwoman Babes San Andres, meanwhile, said they were just helping the family of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients living in the area.

“Wala naman tayong magagawa kung mayroong gustong magreklamo. Nasa pandemic tayong panahon so kailangan immediate ang action,” San Andres said.

Moreover, the Marilao Command Center said the barangay officials did not inform them of the incineration.

“Naka-receive lang po ako ng tawag from a home owner president. Nagko-complain po siya sa’kin tungkol po doon sa insidente na ni-report sa kaniya pero ang sabi ko po sa kaniya, wala pong kinalaman ang ICS dito kasi ‘di naman po ‘yon naisangguni sa amin,” Dr. Josephine Santiago, operations section chief, Marilao, said.

Santiago also assured residents that the vacant lot was an open field and there would be minimal effect on them.

“Open field po kasi siya eh. Nasa maraming puno. I hope na minimal naman po siguro ang magiging effect. Hindi pa po ako naka-update noonbg mga guidelines ng DENR. May kapangyarihan po siya sa kaniyang barangay kung anuman po,” she said.

After the incident, the barangay and the homeowners' association decided to disinfect the whole subdivision.

The local government of Marilao is also currently investigating if barangay officials violated any health protocol regarding the incident.

It also reminded barangays to coordinate with the LGU first before disposing of the stuff of COVID-19 patients. — Ma. Angelica Garcia /DVM, GMA News