By Raydes Barcia
Legazpi City—To combat the government’s fight against the spread of coronavirus, the Philippine National Police in Bicol deployed the 61 medical reserve force to help the region-wide massive vaccination roll out here.
Police Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo, PNP Bicol director, ordered the deployment of its medical reserve force on Friday to widen its efforts to combat COVID-19 in the region.
Estomo’s directive came following the directive of Chief PNP Police Gen. Dionardo Carlos to strategize and rationalize the deployment of PNP-Bicol personnel to assign sufficient numbers of personnel in effort to ensure the implementation of various IATF health protocols in the countryside.
Estomo said that the PNP Bicol remains resolute in widening its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 here.
Police Major. Maria Luisa “Malu” Calubaquib, PNP Bicol regional director, said that as of January 3, a total of 17 Quarantine Control Points (QCPs) were established throughout the region.
“It is manned by 207 personnel wherein 152 are from the PNP; four from the BFP; 11 from the AFP; and 40 other force multipliers,” she said.
The PNP Bicol, according to Calubaquib, relentlessly conducted other police operations including foot and mobile visibility patrol.
“We intensified the inspection of business establishments to ensure their compliance with the public health protocols. Other COVID-19 intervention efforts also include stricter implementation of social distancing and wearing of face masks,” the police regional spokesperson said.
“Constant coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) has been undertaken for the full operation of IATF resolutions. This rapid down trend of COVID-19 cases has been noted. These interventions also contributed to the reduction of commission of crimes in the region,” she added.
The Department of Health in Bicol reported 182 cases of new Covid-19 positive with increasing trend. Among the six provinces of Bicol, Camarines Sur has the highest cases with 104; followed by Albay with 25, Camarines Norte; 19, Sorsogon, 17; Catanduanes, 5 and Masbate with 2.
From March 27, 2020 to January 2022, Bicol posted 47,272 Covid-19 cases with 2,209 active cases and 1,999 number of deaths while 43,064 recovered from the deadly virus.
Bicol region is classified under alert level 2 except Naga City which was placed under alert level 3. (Raydes Barcia)