Batanes remained COVID-19 free due to early lockdown & agencies' coordination

As the country's coronavirus infections increases, the province of Batanes remained free from the virus.

Photo credit: zenrooms.com

Reporters has spoke to Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco to learn more about the local government’s initiatives and practices to battle the COVID-19 crisis.

Cayco said that the province is an isolated island and it played a big part in containing the entry of the virus. She said,

Malaking advantage 'yung isla kami at mahirap mapuntahan. At mahal pong pumunta sa Batanes,

[It’s a big advantage that we’re an island and it’s hard to travel here. It’s also expensive to come here in Batanes,]

The provincial government has also been monitoring the coronavirus situation in China as early as December, that is why when the virus hits Philippines, Batanes early implemented lockdown and preventive measures. Cayco said the local government has also assigned coronavirus monitoring teams in the province’s ports since January. She said,

Alam ko na maraming kabuhayan at trabaho ang maaapektuhan pag sinara namin ang Batanes. Pero, namili rin kami— ekonomiya ba o kalusugan?

[I know there will be a lot of workers who will be affected once we close Batanes to visitors but we chose between health and economy. Of course, we chose health.]

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown the quarantine measures translated to a 500 million pesos loss for the local tourism industry and about 1,500 workers had been displaced.

To help their people affected employees not included in the national government’s social amelioration program (SAP) were provided a ₱3,000 cash assistance. They also offered livelihood loans for other residents affected by the pandemic. Cayco commended both public and private sectors as they coordinated well amid the health crisis.

She praised the work done by the area’s medical frontliners, local officials, backliners, and uniformed personnel, among others.

Meanwhile, Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI) were still welcomed but subjected to strict 14-day quarantine protocols. They were also closely monitored by frontliners and men in uniform.

And lastly, residents where disciplined and compliant with the health protocols which are also big factors that helped the province fight coronavirus.