IATF-Visayas chief implementer recommends creation of EOC Task Force

A task force that will “synchronize and harmonize” all data and activities geared towards containing the spread of COVID-19 in Bacolod City has been organized.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Task Force was created pursuant to Executive Order No. 59 issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia on September 3, upon the recommendation of retired Major General Mel Feliciano, chief implementer of IATF-Visayas, to strengthen the existing set-up.

Under EO No. 59, the EOC Task Force is commissioned to perform two main tasks:
(1) To closely supervise and monitor the overall operations and actions of the EOC before, during, and after, by defining clear objectives and plans, and providing precise insights towards COVID interventions;

(2) To establish an advisory group to provide policy and guidance to the EOC and ensure the crafting of its terms of reference.

The EOC is based at the MassKara Hall of the Bacolod City Government Center and will operate on a 24/7 basis.

“Synchronization and harmonization will be difficult without a centralized Emergency Operations Center. If all activities are synchronized, all undertakings will be successful,” Feliciano said.

SPIKE IN CASES
The issuance of the executive order was prompted by the recent spike of local transmissions in Bacolod.

According to Leonardia, the increasing number of cases has “imperiled” the local healthcare system.

“[The healthcare system] can now hardly accommodate more patients seeking emergency treatment or hospital admission for COVID-19 symptoms, either because of full occupancy of COVID-bed capacity or for lack of medical personnel to attend to said patients,” part of the executive order said.

Feliciano came to Bacolod to augment the City Government’s response against COVID-19 after Leonardia wrote President Rodrigo Duterte urgently appealing for help to curb the spread of the deadly disease.

Feliciano divides his time between Bacolod and Iloilo cities and criss-crosses between them on a daily basis.

Aside from Feliciano, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu had also visited the City for the same mission to help Bacolod, under instructions of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The said national officials have advised the City to implement a similar and successful strategy used in Cebu City to combat COVID-19 by initially organizing an EOC which shall undertake all the planning, operations, and coordination requirements.* (CITY PIO)