Deploy more barangay health workers to transport terminals

REP. JOCELYN P. TULFO
ACT-CIS Party-list
Member, Committee on Social Services
https://www.facebook.com/jocelyntulfoinaction/ | 09177292437

DEPLOY BHWs TO TRANSPORT TERMINALS TO ENFORCE COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES

[US Centers for Disease Control guidance: Better to keep vehicles’ windows open, let fresh air in to stay safe vs COVID-19]

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Now that public transport is gradually opening up, I believe there is an urgent need to mobilize and deploy more barangay health workers to transport terminals and designated pick-up points within their barangays.

The BHWs are needed there to make sure minimum health standards are enforced, to conduct symptoms screening on commuters and drivers, and maintain and safely keep contact tracing records.

The COVID-19 new normal has exposed how vital the roles of BHWs are, as ‘infantrymen’ of the LGUs and the Health Department in our war against all kinds of public health menace. BHWs deserve ample benefits like honoraria, hazard allowance, subsistence allowance , transportation allowance and some non-cash compensation.

Fresh air, open windows, open air spaces, and non-recirculation of air in enclosed spaces are included in the advisories and guidance on COVID-19 of the US Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, European Union, Australia Department of Health, and Hong Kong’s Center for Public Health.

Their guidance, I believe, constitute more than enough sound, rational inputs to the Philippines’ adoption of public transport and workforce policies to gradually allow strictly enforced gradual resumption of public transport nationwide, including public utility jeepneys, motorcycle taxis, buses, and UV express.

Mas safe ang mga pasahero kapag bukas ang mga bintana, nakataas ang mga trapal, at naka-off ang aircon. Importanteng naka-face mask, walang sintomas ng COVID-19 tulad ng pag-uubo at lagnat, at hindi siksikan sa loob ng sasakyan ang sinumang nasa pampublikong sasakyan.

Mag-spray ng running alcohol sa mga bagay na nahahawakan ng ibang tao. Palaging magdala ng alcohol at hand sanitizer. Mayroon din dapat naka-standby na alcohol o hand sanitizer dispenser sa mga pampasaherong jeep, taxi, TNVS, UV express o bus na public commuter transport. (END)

REFERENCES:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/using-transportation.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/rideshare-drivers-for-hire.html

https://iris.wpro.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665.1/14504/COVID-19-infection-prevention-during-transfer-and-transport-eng.pdf

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/COVID-19-public-transport-29-April-2020.pdf

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-information-on-social-distancing.pdf

https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/nid_health_advice_for_public_transport_eng.pdf

https://www.iata.org/contentassets/7e8b4f8a2ff24bd5a6edcf380c641201/airport-preventing-spread-of-coronavirus-disease-2019.pdf

http://www.oshc.dole.gov.ph/images/OSH-Standards-2019-Edition.pdf

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