CDRRMC proposes declaration of state of calamity in Kidapawan, allots funds for purchase of covid vaccines

NEWS | 2021/01/26 | LKRO

CDRRMC proposes declaration of state of calamity in Kidapawan, allots funds for purchase of covid vaccines

KIDAPAWAN CITY (January 7, 2021) – The City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council of Kidapawan has recommended the declaration of state of calamity in the entire city after a surge of Covid19 transmission took place and posted an imminent risk among the constituents.

The declaration was agreed upon by the members of the CDRRMC with its Chairperson Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista in an emergency meeting last Monday, January 4, 2021. The council thoroughly discussed the impact of the holiday season wherein certain protocols were violated resulting to the increase of Covid19 cases in the city.

Three resolutions – Resolutions 1, 2, and 3 were actually approved by the council pertaining to the utilization of P28M for the purchase of Covid19 vaccines, four new ambulances, and Information, Education and Communication materials.

“As your City Government continuously strives to be pro-active in addressing the Covi-19 vaccines will be equitable for all Kidapawenos, specially our frontliners and the vulnerable sector. Your City Government will do everything I its power to bring normalcy to the lives of Kidapawenos as soos as humanly possible”, said Mayor Evangelista.

Based on Presidential Proclamation 922 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last year which placed the entire country under National State of Health Emergency and the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of Covid19 Pandemic, and the current situation of the city necessitate the declaration of state of calamity, according to the CDRRMC.

 The declaration also conforms to the criteria set by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) under Memorandum Order No. 60, Paragraph 1.

Local Government Units can have faster access to disaster quick response funds for the intended purpose, the moment the state of calamity is declared, giving officials the opportunity to procure or buy vital materials and other significant purchases pertaining to the health crisis.

Mayor Evangelista, publicly appealed to everyone to remain calm and vigilant despite the rise in Covid129 cases and urged the residents to abide with the guidelines set by the government and to strictly follow the minimum health protocols.   

Meanwhile, the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (CESU) said that the designated isolation facilities of the city are now at full capacity with 34 actives cases of Covid19 and increasing number of suspects and probable.

But the City LGU has already taken steps and is now converting the city gymnasium to function as isolation facility with 40 bed capacity.

Added to this, the construction of a new building with 20-bed capacity for isolation purposes funded by the Department of health (DOH) will rise in no time, according to Mayor Evangelista. (CIO_JPME/JSCJ)