Senate seeks synchronized efforts among gov’t agencies to prevent Ebola in PH

By: Leila B. Salaverria - 10 years ago

Senator Teofisto Guingona III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — All concerned government agencies must work together to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, and to ensure they are in sync, the Senate will convene stakeholders to check on their efforts regarding the issue.

Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Committee on Health, has set a hearing on Wednesday to discuss measures to combat Ebola.

“We will conduct these hearings, not to sow panic, but rather to gather everyone involved and ensure that all concerned government agencies are synchronized in their efforts and are prepared in dealing with this disease,” Guingona said in a statement on Monday.

The Ebola virus, which has been wreaking havoc in West African nations, has yet to reach Philippine shores.

But there are millions of Filipinos working overseas, and some 3,500 of them are in West African countries hardest hit by Ebola, as per data from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Some 4,000 people worldwide have perished from the virus this year.

Guingona wants to know the preparedness of the front line agencies in the Philippines to deal with the possible entry of the virus into the country.

“This is a multi-faceted issue, and we should be able to work together as a cohesive unit in order for us to effectively control this pandemic,” he said.

Among the resource persons invited to the committee hearing on Wednesday are Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Hans Cacdac, Bureau of Quarantine Director Emmanuel Labella, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Carmelita Dimzon, and armed forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang.