WHILE MAYOR Beng Climaco continues with the construction of more isolation facilities in Zamboanga due to the alarming increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, propagandists and social media trolls have also resumed their political attacks ahead of next year’s national polls, targeting the efforts of the local government to control the spread of the deadly virus.
The isolation facilities were constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to augment the existing quarantine facilities and mitigate the rapid spread of the respiratory virus.
The construction of the quarantine facility followed the standard designs and plans proposed by the DPWH in collaboration with the Department of Health. Three more tents will be constructed by DPWH with 30 more beds capacity.
The facility consists of two constructed tents with 20 beds capacity and are equipped with air conditioner units, adequate lighting and ventilation, uninterrupted electricity supply, potable water source and sewer line. It has separate doors intended for entrance and exit while a common toilet and bath is constructed adjacent to each tent.
The project was recently inaugurated by DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain and turned over to Climaco. This was also witnessed by DPWH Region 9 Director Cayamombao Dia and Assistant Director Honorato Saldua.
Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, thanked DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, saying the isolation facility, completed at the more opportune time, will go a long way in controlling further spread Covid-19.
But anti-Climaco propagandists and trolls said the isolation facility would put residents in Barangay Pasonanca at risk of being infected with Covid-19 because the “virus can jump out of the tent.” They also called on Pasonanca residents to oppose the project while others have “demonized” those living near the facility to protest it.
The spread of black propaganda, fake news and false information have alarmed Pasonanca residents and has prejudiced public tranquility.
Police have previously arrested dozens of people and filed charges against them for spreading fake news and unverified information on social media amid the pandemic. Those who spread fake news and false information can be charged with violations of the “Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code as amended, concerning Sec 4c4 (online libel) and Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Law.”
Violators face imprisonment of one to six months and a fine ranging from P40,000 to P200,000. They could also be punished under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and could be held for violating Presidential Decree Number 90 which makes rumor-mongering and spreading false information as unlawful because it may cause or tend to cause panic, divisive effects among the people, and undermine the stability of the government.
Local health experts and the World Health Organization said Covid-19 is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks in front of other persons. People remain contagious for up to two weeks, and can spread the virus even if they are asymptomatic.
The incubation period of Covid-19, which is the time between exposure to the virus and symptom onset, is on average 5-6 days, but can be as long as 14 days. Thus, quarantine should be in place for 14 days from the last exposure to a confirmed case.
Covid-19 affects different people in different ways and most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. Most common Covid-19 symptoms are fever, dry cough, tiredness and less common symptoms are aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes.
Climaco has never stopped appealing to residents to strictly follow the health protocols and community quarantine guidelines. “The battle against Covid-19 is not just the responsibility of government agencies, but of all sectors and each and every resident or visitor of Zamboanga City,” she said.
Since the start of the pandemic last year, Climaco has maintained the strict enforcement of health protocols and community quarantine guidelines, especially at the borders and in different barangays to prevent the spread of Covid-19. “We reiterate the need for public compliance on all safety and health protocols to prevent a spike in Covid cases. The wearing of face mask and face shield, washing hands often with soap and water, or alcohol, and the strict observance of physical distancing remain to be our main defense against Covid-19,” the mayor said.
Climaco, who ordered the construction of additional 1,000-bed isolation facilities, shrugged off black propaganda against her and said all her actions are always guided by God. “God directs us. I was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped me. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and H has been my Savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just,” she said.
While trolls and propagandists were harping on Climaco’s Covid-19 response and efforts of the local government in controlling the spread of the virus by putting up more isolation facilities, among others – the Philippine Red Cross has also put up isolation facilities in various schools in Metro Manila.
PRC Chairman Senator Richard Gordon said they have utilized unused classrooms in Ateneo De Manila University, University of the Philippines-Diliman, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, and Adamson University to serve as temporary isolation facilities and augment the shortage brought about by the surge of Covid-19. These schools are at the heart of Metro Manila and nobody has complained about it and no one said the “virus can jump out of the schools.” (Zamboanga Post)
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