DEFENSE VS. VIRUS. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. checks one of the personal protective equipment of health personnel in case there will be a person under investigation for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the province. To boost the province's defense against the virus, Defensor on Wednesday (Feb. 12, 2020) ordered the procurement of 20 infrared thermometers that will be used to check the temperature of incoming passengers in the provincial seaports. (Photo courtesy of Capitol PIO)
ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo provincial government continues to ramp up its defense against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) with the procurement of infrared thermometers.
Lawyer Suzette Mamon, provincial administrator, said on Wednesday the province will buy infrared thermometers that will be used to read a person’s temperature without contact.
“We will procure one that is handy to be used (to scan) per individual. We opt to buy these units because the big thermal scanners take a long process of procurement,” she said in an interview.
“It (infrared thermometers) will be deployed at the port of entries and exits like the Dumangas and Ajuy ports,” she added.
The procurement was ordered by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. after he convened the Capitol’s Disaster Cluster on Wednesday to get updates regarding the province’s measures against the spread of the virus.
The 20 infrared thermometers will be an added effort to the health declaration cards issued by the passengers of Roll On-Roll Off (RoRo) vessels.
The health declaration cards are used to track down the travel history of the passengers.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has suggested the deployment of health workers to operate the infrared thermometers.
This is apart from the additional manpower from the provincial government in the seaports to collect passengers’ health declaration cards.
The PHO is also looking for suppliers of the equipment so it can already implement the measures together with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority.
“We are also looking for local suppliers for faster procurement. We have only online suppliers available as of now,” Mamon said. (PNA)
