BAGUIO CITY— With only three days left before the National and Local Elections (NLE) slated on May 9, 2022, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Cordillera has directed all Cordillera local government units (LGUs) to ensure a COVID-proof and safe elections in their areas of jurisdiction due to possible surge of COVID-19 cases.
“The DILG, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of National Defense (DND) signed a resolution to implement the new normal plan for the 2022 NLE to ensure that the conduct of the 2022 NLE is COVID-proof and that medical assistance is provided to voters and persons rendering election-related services when the need arises, “ said DILG CAR Regional Director Araceli San Jose.
She stated that all provincial, city, and municipal governments, in collaboration with COMELEC field offices, should establish medical help desks in all polling centers, complete with all necessary resources, essential medicines, an adequate number of personnel, communication, and transportation facilities.
“The Medical Help Desk must be set up before the start of voting hours and must remain open until the polls close. It should also provide support to the operation of Isolation Polling Places (IPP) to be established by the COMELEC to accommodate voters with symptoms without being sent home,” said RD San Jose.
Adding, “ those who will show symptoms will be brought to the IPP that Comelec will be setting up in every polling precinct,” she said.
She also reminded the LGUs to ensure the readiness of their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), and LGU-run hospitals and health centers to carry out necessary COVID-19 response protocols in the event of an emergency.
“To the greatest extent possible, these facilities should provide free treatment and hospitalization to voters and persons performing election-related services who suffer any serious illness or injury,” she said.
RD San Jose reminded all LGUs not to use these services and or the facilities that will be set up including the Medical Help Desk as a vehicle for political propaganda or promotion of any person’s candidacy.
“Any LGU official in violation of this prohibition will be referred to the COMELEC for appropriate action,” she said.
Strictly adhere to protocols
RD San Jose also urged authorities to continue enforcing and the public to continue adhering to minimum public health standards (MPHS).
“We urge our LGUs to ensure the consistent implementation of MPHS and the continued strict implementation of the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, Reintegrate + Vaccinate (PDITR) strategy.” she said. ** PMTG-DILG-CAR
