MAASIN CITY (PIA)  --  The Office of Civil Defense in Region 8 (OCD-8) has been dealing with the COVID-19  pandemic in a double-edged approach that showed concern on the overall well-being of the medical frontliners while trying to help a business sector be back on its feet.

Lord Byron Torrecarion, regional director of OCD, shared this piece of insight in his capacity as head of the Regional Task Force against COVID-19, during the Suruswerte Ha PIA radio program hosted by Erna Sy Gorne, the new OIC regional director of PIA-8.

“I’m glad to say our region has a more extensive approach to COVID-19.  We have provided accommodations for healthcare workers in government.  We have hotel facilities in which doon i-house natin, especially from tertiary hospital,” Torrecarion said.

The move, he said, has not only addressed the concern of healthcare workers but also the hotel operators

“At the same time this was also stimulating our economy, by creating jobs, yung hotels natin one of the hardest hit nag-close, they were able to function,” Torrecarion reported.

This program will be one year already by July 25 “so hopefully we can sustain it until December, as the feedback especially from health workers is very positive,” he added.

Another program that Torrecarion said was unique to Region 8 and having an overwhelming response was the provision of 12,000 meals a day for three meals, benefitting 4,000 frontliners around the region.

He quoted Ormoc Representative Lucy Torres as saying it was not just the food  --  it affects the happiness quotient of frontliners.

But this program will only be until August 15, so the OCD regional head was again hopeful this can be extended.  (LDL/MMP/PIA-8/Southern Leyte)