Disobedience blamed for surge of Covid-19 virus in Mt. Province

Bontoc, Mountain Province – As of Sunday, January 17, 2021, the province recorded a total of 217 active cases wherein the capital holds the most number having a total of 157 active cases followed by Sabangan having 32 cases.

Provincial Director Homer M. Penecilla of the Police Provincial Office said the rise in cases was caused by the number of individuals who violated health protocols.

Penecilla, according to the report of mt. PLGU, said "Many of those who were infected were close contacts. Unless one is with a member of a family living in the same roof, you should not be in close contact with anybody. If you get infected, most likely, you violated social distancing, wearing of face mask and failed to frequently wash hands."

The police officer is encouraging the participation of barangay officials, the barangay health workers and the barangay tanods and other respective officials to be in the forefront to police their respective 'kailyans’. “The PNP will support them. It has been our duty and it still is," Penecilla said.

Meantime, the Provincial Health Office of this province said the contributory causes to the surge of the Covid-19 virus in their area are drinking sprees, parties, wakes and other small family/friends gatherings disregarding health protocols, particularly the wearing of face masks and social distancing, according to Mt. Province PLGU report.

This was brought out by the PHO during the PDRRMC-PCTF joint meeting transpired last Thursday, January 14, 2021.

Provincial Governor PDRRMC and PCTF Chairperson Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. likewise told in a statement that strict observance of health protocols by the public must be done. This according to him will help in breaking the chain of infection.

"Let us break the chain of infection by strictly observing minimum health protocols. As reported by our Provincial Health Office, our health facilities will not be able to absorb all patients and our health workers will be overwhelmed should the surge continues." he said.