Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte has called for the establishment of permanent quarantine facilities in densely populated areas of the country, or possibly in every region, given the “constant emergence of various highly contagious and seriously infectious kinds of illnesses.”
Villafuerte said these facilities as outlined under House Bill (HB) No. 7005 should be fully equipped to include the needs of individuals who are quarantined “including, butnot limited to, adequate food, clothing, means of communication, and competentmedical care.”
Isolation of people who may have been exposed to any serious contagious disease is the most effective measure to prevent transmission.
“These facilities are designed for patients who are suspected to be infected or colonized with epidemiologically important pathogens that can be transmitted easily by airborne or droplet transmission or by contact with dry skin or contaminated surfaces,” Villafuerte said.
He added, “The DOH (Department of Health) is also mandated to provide adequate care for suspected patients.”
Under HB 7005 or the proposed Mandatory Quarantine Facilities Act of 2020, the DOH shall be primarily responsible for “the operation, supervision, and management” of the quarantine facilities.
Each location for every quarantine facility shall be identified by the DOH in close coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units (LGUs) concerned, the bill states.
The facility should be easily accessible to a DOH hospital and be strategically located to ensure the safety of the community.
Villafuerte noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has continuously considered isolation of people who may have been exposed to any serious contagious or infectious disease as the most effective measure to prevent its transmission.
The facility should be easily accessible to a DOH hospital and be strategically located.
Representing the second district of Camarines Sur, Villafuerte is considered as among the anti-COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) champions in the House of Representatives alongside Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
Villafuerte was the lead author in the House of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and a member of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee monitoring the implementation of the Bayanihan Law.
He also co-chairs the Social Amelioration Cluster of the Defeat COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee (DCC) chaired by Speaker Cayetano and co-chaired by Majority Leader Martin Ferdinand Romualdez.
Even before the pandemic struck, Villafuerte had proposed the establishment of permanent evacuation facilities so local government executives wouldn’t have to use public schools as temporary shelters for their respective constituents during natural calamities such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.