Año clarifies local health officials to lead transfer of COVID-patients to quarantine facilities

July 15, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday clarified it will be the local health workers who will lead “Oplan Kalinga” or the transfer of COVID-19 positive patients from their homes to government quarantine facilities.

Año said police will only play a supporting role to health workers as he dismissed claims of militarization since the military will have no role.

“Again, I wish to emphasize that the PNP’s (Philippine National Police) presence in the conduct of the program is purely for support and assistance to the LGUs ( local government unit) who are taking the lead in defeating COVID-19 in the communities,” he said.

“And the police will just assist local health authorities so I don’t understand why they think this way. That is pure speculation,” he added.

Año said police assistance in the transfer of COVID-19 patients from their households is not a unique exercise in the Philippines as Vietnam is using the same practice, which helped drastically in minimizing transmission.

The PNP said Año’s order is ''no cause for alarm'', its spokesman explained.

“This is only for the confirmed COVID cases who continue to be under home quarantine instead of isolation and treatment in quarantine facilities,” Police sid Brigadier General Bernard Banac said.

Año said the local government unit (LGU) through its local epidemiological surveillance unit will visit the households with COVID-19 patients.

“The one who will lead this is the LGU and public health authority. The city or local epidemiological surveillance unit will lead as they are the experts here,” Año explained.

Given that health experts will lead the transfer, Año said households were identified and local health teams have the list of COVID-19 patients.

He said these patients will then be assessed if they can comply with the minimum requirements to be permitted to practice home quarantine.

Año said Republic Act 11332 or “An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern,” specifies that collaboration with law enforcement is encouraged “to protect the people from public health threats.”

He said that Section 4 of the law states one of its objectives is expanding collaboration beyond traditional public health partners such as law enforcement entities.

Año assured the public that no rights will be violated as police officers’ presence will be limited to assisting in transporting patients and ensuring that lockdowns are imposed.

“We are very systematic in our approach. Before going to the area, they have the complete list of names. Health workers and officials will be wearing PPEs (personal protective equipment). Cops who will assist them were also trained,” he said.

According to Año, a household is allowed to do home quarantine if it has a separate room where the patient can be confined,  if the patient has his comfort room; and if he is not living with people who are vulnerable to COVID-19 such as senior citizens and immune-compromised individuals, among others.

He urged the public’s cooperation by reporting households with confirmed COVID-19 cases under home quarantine but without the proper facilities. Ella Dionisio/DMS