The North Cotabato Provincial Development Council (PDC) is pushing for a PHP98-million fund to step up its response against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In a statement Wednesday, North Governor Nancy Catamco said the fund proposal is subject to approval by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
The PDC, led by Catamco, met Tuesday to tackle and approve the funding proposal on its level.
“This resolution is set for endorsement before the SP with the hope that it will be swiftly and justifiably approved,” she said.
Catamco said the fund will be used to upgrade hospital wards, operating rooms, and intensive care units in Covid-19 referral facilities.
“A part of the funds will also be utilized for the procurement of medical, dental, and laboratory supplies; and the planned installation of oxygen generators to augment the supply of oxygen in all Covid-19 referral hospitals,” she added.
Dr. Eva Rabaya, head of the integrated provincial health office, said the province currently has 1,392 active Covid-19 cases.
“There are at least 10 areas in the province which we categorized as on ‘red alert status’ due to the high number of Covid-19 positive cases,” she said.
Rabaya identified the areas in “red alert status” as the city, and the towns of M’lang, Banisilan, Antipas, Arakan, Makilala, Pres. Roxas, Tulunan, Libungan, and Magpet.
“All hospitals and other Covid-19 facilities in these areas are functioning beyond full capacity,” she added.
North Cotabato has this city and 17 towns under its area of jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19 reported that 52 percent of the targeted population comprising 118,967 individuals under the A1 (health front-liners), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities) are now fully vaccinated across the province.
Vaccination for the A4 (essential workers) category has also begun this week.
In a statement, the PIATF said it is eyeing the vaccination of 10,083 individuals daily to attain 70 percent population protection against Covid-19 out of its total 231,632 target population by the end of this year. (PNA)
