HINGYON, Ifugao (PIA) - - Barangay of Ubuag in this municipality remains COVID19-free since the start of the pandemic last year. Credit it to good governance and community cooperation.
Punong Barangay Gaspar Ognayon said the barangay made various initiatives to safeguard the people, , ease boredom and bring strong family ties and camaraderie among themselves in the community.
“We implemented all of our programs, projects and activities to protect our dear constituents against this dreadful virus that is creating havoc in the different parts of the world and now coming to our doorstep,” he said.
Ognayon said that as early as March 11, 2020, they established COVID-19 and African Swine Fever barangay checkpoint in line with the implementation of national/local ASF and COVID19 policies and protocols. They also procured relief goods through the disaster funds.
The barangay local government unit also secured additional relief goods from government offices and non-government organizations for distribution in the community. This helps control unnecessary travel of the people.
To minimize crowding, household heads per purok were called one at a time at the barangay hall for the distribution of relief goods.
The barangay officials also collected from the people lists of food, medicines and other necessities that they need to buy from the market, pharmacies or groceries and they be the ones to purchase the orders .
In the absence of a quarantine facility , the Child Development Center was immediately converted into a temporary holding facility for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (ROFWs) and locally stranded individuals. The facility is equipped with personalized tents, beddings and ventilation.
The Barangay Health Station is also utilized as quarantine facility for LSIs and ROFWs. With the assistance of the Municipal Government, a three-room quarantine facility was constructed that complied with the DOH standards.
“National and local guidelines/policies are strictly implemented including liquor ban and price monitoring of basic commodities. Executive orders were issued to localized some national laws and policies relative to the COVID-19 management,” Ognayo said.
The residents are always reminded through the barangay public address system of the liquor ban, curfew hour and COVID-19 updates. Regular ronda is being conducted by the barangay tanods..
Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Roselle Nanglegan-Aplosen shared that BLGU utilizes social media and zoom application to reach out its constituents. It launched the “Online Talakayan” which is being conducted every Tuesday at 1:00 PM via Zoom and Facebook whereby constituents and other viewers can share their views and related information in a real time scenario.
As a feedback mechanism, a drop box is made accessible to constituents for their suggestions, recommendations or reports pertaining to barangay governance especially on the COVID-19 concerns.
Aplosen disclosed that barangay Ubuag was the first among the 12 barangays to distribute the assistance from the Social Amelioration Program to the beneficiaries in an orderly and organized manner following strict health protocols.
“Indeed, Barangay Ubuag has proven that strict implementation of policies and PPAs coupled with initiatives/innovations and people’s participation in local governance despite very limited local funds, would lead to great result,” Aplosen said.(JDP/MBL-PIA CAR, Ifugao)
