San Jose, Camarines Sur mayor, has been working as a doctor in his municipality due to a shortage of medical health workers.
Mayor Marco Chavez said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Tuesday that several rural health workers had been placed under quarantine after one of tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Kailangan ko pong kumilos bilang isang doctor at tumulong kung anumang puwedeng maitulong ko,” Chavez said.
(I need to act as a doctor at help other to the best that I can.)
The mayor said it is still his responsibility to provide medical service to anyone in need, whether as a doctor or as a local government official.
“Yan po ang sinumpaan kong tungkulin, kaya gagampanan ko po na maproteksyonan ko po ang aming bayan.” he said.
(That is my oath, so I will do my part in protecting my people.)
The mayor/doctor said two residents in San Jose recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Chavez already ordered the lockdown of the barangay, where another coronavirus case was reported. Contact tracing of the patient’s family members and close contacts are on-going.
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The mayor said their municipality is looking for volunteer health workers and assistance from the government of Camarines Sur.
“Kung sino po ‘yung may natapos na po na health profession, pwede rin pong tumulong sa’min. Malaking tulong po ‘yun.”
(Anyone who has completed a health professional degree can help you too. That’s a big help.)
“Thank you po sa lahat ng aking mga kababayan, ang masasabi ko lang po, sunod lang po tayo sa mga ipinaguutos ng ating gobyerono social distancing ang pagsuot ng face mask, ang paghugas ng kamay,” he added.
(Thank you to all my fellow countrymen, all I can say is, let us just follow the government’s mandate to practice social distancing, wearing of face masks, and handwashing.)
The Bicol region recorded 85 COVID-19 cases with five deaths and six recoveries as of June 1.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines already reached 18, 638, with 960 deaths, and 3,979 recoveries.