The city government has received from the Office of the President over the weekend additional personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical front-liners assigned to handle 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases.
South Cotabato First District Rep. Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles said Monday the PPE were delivered through her office here last Saturday afternoon by personnel from the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).
Nograles said the equipment included in the latest batch of supplies were sent by the national government for Covid-19 front-liners in Mindanao and arrived Saturday morning in Davao City through a Philippine Air Force C-130 aircraft.
“This is part of the provisions that we earlier requested from the Office of the President to help us combat the spread of Covid-19 in our area,” she told reporters.
South Cotabato’s first legislative district covers this city and the municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi, and Tampakan.
The initial PPE package for the area was composed of 50 protective suits, 200 pairs of gloves, and 500 face masks. PMS said it was the second delivery of PPE from the national government for Covid-19 front-liners in Region 12 or Soccsksargen.
Nograles said they immediately handed over the PPE to personnel of the city government-run Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital. She said the equipment will be used by medical personnel and other health care workers who will be assigned at the hospital’s “Covid Center”.
The local government is currently seeking accreditation from the Department of Health for its designated Covid-19 isolation facility, which is situated at the second level of the hospital’s expansion building.
“Thank you President Rodrigo Duterte for the prompt response of your office. This will definitely help flatten the curve in our area,” Nograles said in a Facebook post.
The offices of Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao, Sarangani Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao, OFW Family partylist Rep. Roberto Pacquiao, and various non-government organizations had also delivered face masks and other equipment to medical front-liners and other first responders in the area.
Donations for food supplies have also continued to pour in from concerned individuals, business establishments and local volunteer groups. (PNA)
