LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday lauded the provincial government of Laguna for its effective containment strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection.
Secretary Andanar visited the province as part of his new task as the “Big Brother” of Laguna, who oversees the COVID-19 response efforts of the province.
“Nais ko pong i-congratulate ang lalawigan ng Laguna sa pangunguna ng ama ng Laguna, Governor Ramil Hernandez, sa napakagandang ipinakita sa ’ting ehemplo ng communications. Di po napag-iiwanan ang taumbayan sa Laguna (I would like to congratulate the province of Laguna, led by the father of the province, Governor Ramil Hernandez for demonstrating excellent communications. The people of Laguna were not left behind),” he said.
The PCOO chief was joined by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Ramon Cualoping III, Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, Bay Mayor Jose Padrid, and Los Baños Mayor Caesar P. Perez.
During the series of “Explain, Explain, Explain: Pagdalaw sa Laguna” conferences, Secretary Andanar highlighted the big role of Laguna in helping the country rebound from its economic losses due to the pandemic.
The province is known for its industrialized areas, with at least 2,400 companies.
The Calabarzon region, in fact, is hiring more contact tracers to ensure that its COVID-19 cases continue to plateau and eventually flatten. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Laguna cluster head Lorilyn Manrique bared that around 5,000 contact tracers are needed for the region. She also discussed the DILG’s Bida ang May Disiplina Campaign that is seeking to influence youths, and public figures from the national down to the barangay levels to lead in demonstrating discipline.
Gov. Hernandez, meanwhile, expressed his openness to maintain partnership with the national government.
“Sa buong Pilipinas ay ramdam na ramdam natin ang assistance ng national government. Patuloy po ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan. Kami ay nakahanda kung ano ang pwede nating pagtrabahuan ng magkasama (The entire Philippines is very much aware of the assistance of the national government. And the provincial government maintains partnership [with the national government]. We are ready for whatever needs to be worked on together),” he said.
Department of Health (DOH) Director Beverly Ho, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Director Justin Batocabe, and the members of the Regional Task Force against COVID-19 were also present during the event.
