BY BENJAMIN MOSES M. EBREO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (April 5)—Governor Carlos Padilla has ordered the extension of closure order among national and provincial offices within the Provincial Capitol here due to the spike of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the province.
Padilla’s order on the temporary closure of the Provincial Capitol takes effect from April 5 to 8 to enable the Provincial Integrated Health Office (IPHO) for the conduct of disinfection activities.
“This is deemed necessary to further contain the transmission of Covid-19 to our employees, their families and to the public whom we serve,” he said.
Padilla said the temporary closure of the capitol will also pave the way for the conduct of contact tracing among employees who were exposed to Covid-19 carriers.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Edwin Galapon said local transmission of the disease is now happening inside households and workplaces.
He appealed to the public to stay in their homes, avoid crowded gatherings, wear facemask, observe social distancing and always practice disinfection.
As of April 4, recorded Covid-19 cases in Nueva Vizcaya is already at 403 active cases with several barangays now under strict quarantine status. Nueva Vizcaya is under general community quarantine until the end of the month.
Padilla said employees within the provincial capitol will not report for work but a skeleton workforce or shifting schedule is required among the Provincial Jail, IPHO, provincial hospitals, Provincial Security, Provincial General Services Office, Provincial Disaster Management Risk Reduction Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Red Cross offices.
The order also prohibits recreational activities within the Provincial Capitol with a longer date from April 3 to 11.
The Legislative Building was closed last week due to Covid-19 exposures of a number of workers.
On April 1, Vice Governor Jose Tomas admitted on his Facebook Page that he tested positive for Covid-19 and is now recuperating in a hospital facility. He also appealed to his earlier contacts to take necessary protocols and health treatment.
On April 2, Board Member Cirilo Galindez Jr., 68, also a doctor by profession died due to Covid-19.
His remains were immediately cremated and now displayed at the Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center (R2TMC) Chapel for the public’s final respects with strict implementation of health protocols.
Galindez, was a former chief of hospital of the Veterans Regional Hospital (VRH) now the R2TMC.
A Past Master of Ari-Tau Masonic Lodge, he has led and sponsored charitable projects, programs and activities among Novo Vizcayanos such as the yearly conduct of free medical, dental and surgical missions in his hometown of Aritao and other remote barangays of Nueva Vizcaya.
He led health volunteers during the rescue and recovery campaign in Visayas after super typhoon Yolanda almost wiped the region’s environment landscape.
After he retired from the R2TMC, he ran for board member and won. Galindez was an active member of bikers club in the province.