The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), through the Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs, takes a closer look at the ground operations of the government’s “Oplan Kalinga” program, which was instrumental in the slowdown in COVID-19 cases in high-risk areas by preventing community transmission.
PCOO Secretary Martin M. Andanar emphasized that the “Oplan Kalinga” program was key in flattening the curve of COVID-19 cases in the country.
“The streamlined coordination among different national government agencies led to last year’s launch of “Oplan Kalinga” program, which aims to isolate COVID-19 positive patients who are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms in an effort to avoid any community transmission of the virus,” Sec. Andanar said.
“This short documentary will provide an in-depth view on the government’s efforts in providing the necessary care and treatment to our fellow Filipinos infected by the virus,” he added.
With the “Oplan Kalinga” program, local government units (LGUs) are tasked to directly fetch COVID-19 patients, either asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, from their homes and bring them to the quarantine facilities, especially those who do not have their own room and own toilet at home where they can isolate themselves, or those living with elderly people with underlying health conditions and comorbidities, and pregnant women. This is to reduce local transmission within communities and households.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Office of the General Manager Chief of Staff and Focal Person for Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Michael C. Salalima said that the national government launched “Oplan Kalinga” on July 16, 2020 to provide support for the local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region to control the then growing number of COVID-19 cases, as many LGU-led isolation facilities were already overwhelmed with patients.
Furthermore, Charree Dellosa, a COVID-19 survivor, expressed her gratitude to the “Oplan Kalinga” facility for taking good care of her until she was discharged. She now works at the COVID-19 Central Command Center to help other COVID-19 patients.
“Sobra-sobrang laking pasasalamat ko sa ‘Oplan Kalinga,’ then sa hotel facilities kasi po binigyan po nila ako ng isolation facility. Then hindi na po ako namroblema sa food then sa mga needed po na mga vitamins kasi nag-provide din po sila. Then lagi po nila ako minomonitor [I am very thankful for the ‘Oplan Kalinga’ program for providing an isolation facility. Also, they provided food and the vitamin supplements that I needed so I didn’t have to worry about those. They were always monitoring my condition,” said Dellosa.
Catch “Oplan Kalinga” on Sunday, January 31, at 9:30 PM on PTV and IBC. It will also be livestreamed on the PCOO and the NTF COVID-19 Facebook pages, as well as other government-affiliated social media pages.
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