Today, October 22, 2020, the City Government of San Fernando and the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) host the visit of Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team members of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Agora Events Hall, Thunderbird Resorts and Casino.

Among those who graced the event were NTF Chief Implementer and Presidential Adviser for Peace Process Sec. Carlito Galvez, Testing Czar and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Sec. Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, Contact Tracing Czar and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) USec. Jonathan Malaya, Dir. Gloria Balboa and Asec. Charade Mercado-Grande of Department of Health (DOH) and Michael Salamima of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

CODE is an initiative to give support to mitigate CoViD-19 localized transmission and effects at the community level through the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate or PDITR strategy. CODE team is composed of national government lead representatives of various agencies forming the IATF and NTF that ensures effective implementation of the National Action Plan at the local government level.

The members of the CODE Team commended the efforts of the Provincial Government of La Union and the City Government of San Fernando in containing CoViD-19 local cases. The visit also aims to share the best practices and developed strategies in controlling the spread of the virus through technology-based contact tracing, aggressive testing, empowerment of barangay-level workforce, effective isolation plan, ensuring workplace safety, and creating a unified network of hospitals and treatment facilities.

Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” Ortega III welcomed the on-site and online attendees and focused his message on the importance of proactive, strategic preventive measures as well as personal wellness and environmental sustainability. The program highlighted the series of presentations from the CODE team members featuring the CoVID-19 intervention programs of the national government and the National Action Plan Phase III. During the open forum, attendees raised concerns about the CoViD-19 vaccine action plan and the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) support and capacity building for rural LGUs.

In his closing message, City Mayor Alf Ortega underlines the importance of learning from the best practices of other institutions as well as gaining inspiration and strength from each other as the event’s main takeaway. Mayor Alf believes that committed, dedicated leadership and unity in love and purpose will ultimately inspire everybody to keep moving forward towards the rise and recovery of the country and the city.
#SanFernandoAyayatenKa

(Story by Keziah Arela Ibay and Jeddahn Rosario)
(Photos by Clifford Mercado)