CEBU, Philippines — The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Cebu City has apologized for the unsanitary conditions at the City Central School barangay isolation center (BIC) but thanked the patient who sent the feedback to the center.
“We’re very sorry for that and we’re thankful for the feedback; it will keep us always on guard,” said Councilor Joel Garganera, the EOC’s deputy chief implementer.
He reminded the personnel manning the city’s isolation centers for COVID-19 to keep the centers clean and orderly.
Garganera said they revisited guidelines and verified the situation following a complaint of a dirty restroom and the isolation facility itself. He said they had to check the area personally as the EOC did not receive similar complaints from other residents of the facility.
But the complaint turned out to be true.
Garganera said the City Central School was overwhelmed as the other barangay isolation centers for asymptomatic patients in Zapatera, Mabolo, Labangon, and San Nicolas were closed for disinfection.
“All four BICs were for disinfection; we’re not receiving patients mao nga napuno atong BIC sa Central… the same number of workforce… and it affected the quality of their services,” Garganera said.
BIC personnel were also reminded to always check on patients even if they do not show signs of illness.
“Naa say ubang BHW (barangay health workers), wa na kuhai’g vital sign ang mga pasyente and na-minos ang quality (of service) tungod sa kadaghan (patients). We are now correcting that,” Garganera said.
The EOC is also investigating reports that some patients at the City Central School were drinking liquor.
Garganera said liquor is not allowed at BICs and personnel, and even policemen, assigned at the area will be held accountable if investigation will show liquor skipped security. — JMO Decemay P. Padilla (FREEMAN)