By Nikki Ann C. Guillen
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Region 6 donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to different hospitals in Iloilo and Antique.
A total of 117 PPEs are ready to be delivered to different medical centers. Some will also be used by EMB-6 personnel in the performance of their duties amid the threats of COVID-19.
The recipient hospitals include the Western Visayas Sanitarium in Sta. Barbara and Dr. Ricardo Ladrido Memorial District Hospital in Lambunao. Each will receive 15 pieces of PPEs and face shields.
Some of the equipment will be distributed to frontliners in Antique such as face shields, chemical respirators, N95 masks, and protective goggles.
The Provincial Environmental Management Unit (PEMU) in Negros Occidental and Iloilo City Responders will also receive PPEs and face shields.
The Bureau also provided 25 pieces of PPEs and 29 pieces of face shield to EMB-6 EMED team who inspects infectious wastes generated in the hospitals to ensure the safety of the public and the cleanliness of the environment.
The Ramon Tabiana Memorial Hospital, a hospital designated to cater COVID-19 PUMs and PUIs in Cabatuan, received 20 pieces of face shields, free meals, and bottled water for its medical workers.
The bureau also started making its face shields and masks for its use. A total of 182 face shields were made and will be donated to frontline workers.
Atty. Ramar Niel V. Pascua, EMB 6 Regional Director, said that the protective gears will strengthen protective measures for health care workers.
“We are supporting our local government in addressing the shortage of PPEs as those in the frontline are risking their own lives to save ours but are running out of equipment to protect themselves from getting infected,” Pascua said.
The purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was contributed by Atty. Pascua, Chief of Legal Section Atty. Arjunn Marven Calvo, Finance and Administrative Division (FAD) Chief Ms. Jeanette Sapilan and staff, Planning Officer Mr. Ralph Remata, and the Environmental Monitoring & Enforcement Division (EMED) Chief Engr. Ronald E. Limua and staff.
The Clearance and Permitting Division of EMB-6 handed out 50 packs of goods to frontliners in the municipalities of Cabatuan and Maasin while PEMU- Negros Occidental provided a total of 50 snack packs to frontliners in checkpoint areas around Bacolod City.
These are ways of the bureau to extend a helping hand in this time of crisis. EMB-6 continues to do its part in supporting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.