In order to minimize the surge of the virus at the DENR, Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan has ordered the conduct of mass testing among employees in the regional and field offices.

 

“While we do not cease in providing our services to the public despite the pandemic, we should ensure that our employees and their families’ health, safety and welfare must be well-guarded,” Director Bambalan said.

 

In Resolution No. 264 dated April 19, 2021, the Cagayan Valley Regional Inter-agency Task Force enjoined all national government agencies in the region to conduct antigen and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests to all their employees regardless of employment status.

 

As of May 26, a total of 541 employees had undergone antigen test. The 20 individuals who tested positive from the antigen test were immediately isolated and subjected to confirmatory RT-PCR test.

 

The DENR Region 2 chief has earlier advised all employees to observe minimum health and safety protocol by wearing face masks, face shields and frequent washing, and minimizing gathering in groups. Hotlines and online systems are maximized to ensure continuous delivery of services considering the limited face-to-face transactions.

 

A safety and health committee was also institutionalized in the regional and field offices to ensure among others healthy work habits and safety practices in the workplace. The committee is composed of safety officers, contact tracers, case investigators, and records and data management focal persons.

 

In a related development, the DENR Region 2 has donated today 100 pieces of personal protective equipment, 200 boxes of face masks and 200 pieces of face shields to Cagayan Provincial Health Office and Tuguegarao City Health Office.#