STATE OF CALAMITY. Bulacan Vice Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado leads the declaration of a state of calamity as a presiding officer with the support of the members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan through a special session on Thursday (March 19, 2020). The move is part of an effort to address and contain the spread of new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the province. (Photo courtesy of Provincial Public Affairs Office)
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan—This province was placed under a state of calamity in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The resolution for the declaration of a state of calamity was unanimously passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Vice Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, through a special session held Thursday.
Governor Daniel Fernando thanked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for their support to assure public safety, which he said is their common goal.
With the declaration, the provincial government can render full assistance and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate disaster response aid and measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 virus.
Based on the records of the Bulacan Provincial Health Office as of Thursday, one has died out of the six Covid-19 cases. There are 124 patients under investigation (PUIs) in the province.
Of the six confirmed cases of Covid-19, two are from the City of San Jose del Monte, one in the City of Malolos, one in Guiguinto, one in Baliwag and one in San Ildefonso, who died in a hospital in Manila.
One of those confirmed infected with the dreaded virus is Baliwag town Mayor Ferdie Estrella, who is currently in stable condition at a hospital also in Manila.
On the other hand, the 124 PUIs are quarantined in their homes as the provincial government continues to carry out contact tracing for the six confirmed Covid-19 cases.
The governor, however, said the provincial government will not exhaust all its calamity fund because it has to reserve some funds for natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes that might hit the province this year.
"The calamity funds will be used to buy medical logistics for public hospitals in Bulacan while funds for relief goods for the indigents will be sourced from the preparedness fund and savings of the provincial government,” Fernando said.
He also assured the salaries for the job order employees of the provincial capitol.
He added the towns and cities of the province will have its own quarantine area as agreed upon by the local executives. (PNA)
