Guides to Action against "Coronavirus"

January 31, 2020

DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 018-20

GUIDES TO ACTION AGAINST "CORONAVIRUS"

1.0 Background

1.1 Pursuant to Section 15, Article 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Section 16, the General Welfare Clause, of the Local Government Code, local government units are charged with the promotion of health and safety within their jurisdictions. As such they are to take lead in the prevention and control of coronavirus at the local level. HTcADC

1.2 In response to the growing concern over the outbreak of coronavirus, the Philippines is now one among the countries with probable coronavirus suspects. Unless properly addressed, this phenomenon may create a negative impact on business productivity, tourism, and mobility of citizens, not to mention deaths. Moreover, lack of information or misinformation on coronavirus engenders paranoia where Coronavirus suspects, their next of kin, neighbourhood or community may be ostracized by the public at large. In extreme situations, lack of information or misinformation on Coronavirus may even lead to social unrest in a community.

2.0 Purpose

2.1 This Circular aims to enjoin all local government units to effectively intensify information education campaign against Coronavirus and implement programs, projects and services that will promote the health and well-being of every Filipino.

3.0 Scope/Coverage

3.1 All Provincial Governors, City Mayors, Municipal Mayors, DILG Regional Directors, and all others concerned.

4.0 Policy Content and Guidelines

4.1 All Local Chief Executives shall assume and perform roles as:

4.1.1 Anti-Coronavirus Information Manager:

4.1.1.1 Consult Local Health Offices on the guidelines and protocol relative to the safety measures, prevention and control of the Coronavirus in their respective localities;

4.1.1.2 Disseminate information materials, i.e.,flyers, brochures, fosters, billboards against Coronavirus;

4.1.1.3 Tap the local media in communication what Coronavirus is, what Coronavirus is not, and the measures to prevent Coronavirus;

4.1.1.4 Conduct public dialogues with health authorities, police authorities, business community, civil society, and the general public on Coronavirus prevention and control; and

4.1.1.5 Dispel rumors and calm down the people when hysteria and panic grip the community because of false and misleading information about Coronavirus.

4.1.2 Local Crisis Manager:

4.1.2.1 Organize Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) to help manage coronavirus suspects and their contacts;

4.1.2.2 Provide, when necessary, protective gadgets such as masks, googles, gowns, gloves, etc.,to each member of the BHERT and other local health personnel;

4.1.2.3 In coordination with health and police authorities, cause the referral and transport of a Coronavirus suspect to the DOH-designated coronavirus-referral center or hospital;

4.1.2.4 In coordination with health and police authorities, cause the establishments of check points, as need arises;

4.1.2.5 In coordination with health and police, see the protection from unnecessary harm of a coronavirus suspect, the next of kin and contact(s);and

4.1.2.6 As Head of the Local Price Coordinating Council, monitor prices of medicines and preventive gadgets, and file charges against hoarding or overpricing.

4.1.3 Environmental Health Manager:

4.1.3.1 Ensure that garbage is properly disposed;

4.1.3.2 Ensure that public places and areas such as offices, malls, theaters, enclosed recreational areas, restaurants, public markets, schools, churches, public toilets, etc.,are disinfected and maintained of their cleanliness;

4.1.3.3 Esteros and canals are cleaned regularly; and

4.1.3.4 An ordinance on health, sanitation and cleanliness is enacted and/or enforced.

4.2 Specific Responsibilities of Local Chief Executives:

4.2.1 For the Punong Barangays

4.2.1.1 On Containment and Control

4.2.1.1.1 Receive the Bureau of Immigration record and from other sources, if available, on persons arriving in the barangay from a coronavirus-affected country who are residents of the barangay. In the absence of such records, monitor arrivals and provide the City or Municipal Mayor with a report on such arrivals and measures and actions on the required 14-day home confinement;

4.2.1.1.2 Mobilize the BHERTs in the fight off against coronavirus;

4.2.1.1.3 In coordination with duly designated local authorities, enforce the 14-day confinement of arriving persons from a coronavirus-affected country;

4.2.1.1.4 Extend appropriate assistance and support to those in home confinement, depending on the latter's capability and actual needs;

4.2.1.1.5 Refer, and transport, to the DOH-designated coronavirus center or hospital a coronavirus suspect. In case of inability due to lack of ambulance and protective gadgets, refer the coronavirus suspect to a city or municipal health authorities; and

4.2.1.1.6 Monitor the BHERTs in the performance of their tasks.

4.2.2.2 On Prevention aScITE

4.2.2.2.1 In coordination with city or municipal health authorities, conduct a barangay-wide information campaign on coronavirus prevention, containment and control;

4.2.2.2.2 Set-up a Barangay Information or Call Center to facilitate the reporting of coronavirus suspects and contacts and the dissemination of coronavirus-related information;

4.2.2.2.3 In coordination with city or municipal health authorities, conduct a barangay-wide clean-up campaign;

4.2.2.2.4 Organize a minimum of one (1) BHERT for every 5,000, population. Each BHERT is composed of an Executive Officer, a Barangay Tanod and two (2) Barangay Health Workers, one (1) of whom is preferably a nurse or midwife, and where all are appointed by the Punong Barangay.

 The BHERT shall perform the following functions:

a. With or without the list of arrivals from the Mayor supposed to be given by the Bureau of Immigration (BI),conduct visits in the home of every arriving person from a coronavirus affected country;

b. Immediately list down the person(s) the arriving residents(s) came in contact with prior to his/her arrival in his/her residence;

c. Require the arriving residents(s) to check and record temperature daily, in the morning and in the afternoon, for the duration of the 14-day home confinement period. Advise the arriving resident(s) to watch out for any other symptoms of Coronavirus like cough, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath;

d. Check on the condition of the arriving resident(s) daily from a distance of more than one (1) meter. In checking, always wear N95 or surgical mask;

e. If symptoms are observed, immediately isolate and confine the arriving resident, now a coronavirus suspect, to a room away from the members of the household prior to his immediate transport to a DOH-designated coronavirus-referral center or hospital for further examination and treatment. Require the coronavirus suspect to wear N95 or surgical mask. Place the rest of the household also under 14-day home confinement. Repeat the process for them, including contact tracing. If no signs manifest, report to the City or Municipal Health officer for lifting of home confinement;

f. If no symptoms are observed after the 14-day home confinement, report the matter to the City or Municipal Health Officer for lifting of home confinement; and

g. Report to the Punong Barangay on measures or actions taken per arriving resident.

4.2.2 For the City (Highly Urbanized, Independent Component or Component) or Municipal Mayor

4.2.2.1 On Containment and Control

4.2.2.1.1 Receive copy of record directly from the BI record and other sources on persons arriving in the city or municipality from a coronavirus-affected country and send it immediately to the Punong Barangay for monitoring and surveillance. In the absence of such records, generate information on arrivals from a coronavirus-affected country through the Punong Barangays, City or Municipal or Barangay Health Workers or through other sources, e.g.,Barangay Intelligence Network;

4.2.2.1.2 Monitor the measures and actions taken by the Punong Barangays and the BHERTs in the prevention, containment and control of coronavirus;

4.2.2.1.3 Provide logistical assistance to the BHERTs in carrying out their tasks;

4.2.2.1.4 Direct the City or Municipal Health Office to supervise the BHERTs and submit report(s) to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit on the outcome of home confinement;

4.2.2.1.5 Refer, and transport, a coronavirus suspect to the DOH-designated coronavirus referral center or hospital;

4.2.2.1.6 Order the Philippine National Police or the Punong Barangay to effect the compulsory home confinement of persons arriving from a coronavirus-affected country who violate home confinement to complete the 14-day prescribed period, in case the Punong Barangay or the BHERT fails to impose the 14-day home confinement; and

4.2.2.1.7 Extend appropriate assistance and support to those in home confinement, depending on the latter's capability and actual needs.

4.2.2.2 On Prevention

4.2.2.2.1 In coordination with DOH and/or Provincial Health Office, as the case may be, train City or Municipal Health Workers especially hospital or rural health personnel in handling and managing coronavirus suspect;

4.2.2.2.2 In coordination with the DOH and/or Provincial Health Office, as the case may be, provide training to the local health workers, members of the BHERTs and barangay tanods on coronavirus prevention, containment and control;

4.2.2.2.3 In coordination with the DOH, DILG-PNP and/or Provincial Health Office, as the case may be, provide training to local health workers members of the BHERTs and barangay tanods in enforcing the 14-day home confinement procedures for persons arriving from coronavirus affected country;

4.2.2.2.4 Conduct a city or municipal-wide information campaign on coronavirus prevention, containment and control;

4.2.2.2.5 Coordinate with Punong barangays in the conduct of a city or municipal-wide clean-up campaign; and

4.2.2.2.6 Monitor prices of medicines and coronavirus-preventive gadgets, and file charges against hoarding or overpricing.

4.2.3 For the Provincial Governor

4.2.3.1 On Containment and Control HEITAD

4.2.3.1.1 Receive copy of record from the BI and other sources on persons arriving from a coronavirus-affected country bound to and residents of municipal and component cities of the province;

4.2.3.1.2 After receiving copy of such records, monitor the measures and actions taken by the Component City Mayor or Municipal Mayor in connection with the required 14-day home confinement of persons arriving from a coronavirus-affected country;

4.2.3.1.3 Refer, and transport, in coordination with the Component City or Municipal Mayor, a coronavirus suspect to the DOH-designated coronavirus referral center or hospital, in the event the concerned city or municipality does not have the capability or fails to transport such coronavirus suspect;

4.2.3.1.4 Provide logistical assistance to the Component City or Municipal Mayors in managing coronavirus suspects; and

4.2.3.1.5 Ensure that the mayors under the Provincial Government's jurisdiction fulfil their Anti-Coronavirus roles and responsibilities.

4.2.3.2 On Prevention

4.2.3.2.1 In coordination with DOH, train Provincial Health Workers especially those hospital personnel in handling and managing Coronavirus suspects;

4.2.3.2.2 In coordination with the DOH Provincial Health Office, and Component City and Municipal Mayors, conduct a province-wide information campaign on coronavirus prevention, containment and control;

4.2.2.2.5 In coordination with the DOH Provincial Health Office, Component City and Municipal Mayors, conduct a province-wide clean-up campaign; and

4.2.2.2.6 Monitor measures and actions taken by the City or Municipal mayors in the fight against coronavirus.

4.3 All DILG Regional Directors and the BARMM Minister of Local Government are hereby directed to cause the immediate and widest dissemination of this Memorandum Circular to all LGUs within their respective regional assignments and see to it that the intent of this Circular is faithfully complied with by all concerned.

5.0 Effectivity

5.1 This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

6.0 Reference

6.1 Section 16, of Local Government Code of 1991.

7.0 Approving Authority

(SGD.) EDUARD M. AÑOSecretary, DILG