POPCOM completes barangay-level database of demographic vulnerabilities in NCR

The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) has developed a database that would help improve coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) responses at the barangay level in Metro Manila, according to President Rodrigo Duterte's third weekly report to Congress.

The said database contains variables focusing on demographic vulnerabilities of the barangays in the National Capital Region.

"These indicators shall serve as baselines in planning pandemic responses such as quarantine and other support strategies to effectively and efficiently contain the spread of COVID-19," read the report which was submitted on Monday.

"The POPCOM is now working to complete the database of these key indicators for other regions," it added.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said this evaluation tool has been adopted by the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

"Local government units, including the BARMM, are enjoined to implement such tool to assess communities in their respective jurisdictions, subject to guidelines as may be jointly issued by the Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority, and the POPCOM," he said.

LGUs are in the forefront of distributing government assistance and services to the communities as the country grapples with COVID-19.

An enhanced community quarantine is in effect over Luzon and other affected areas until April 30 to prevent the transmission of the virus.

As of April 13, the Philippines recorded a total of 4,932 COVID-19 cases, with 315 deaths and 242 recoveries. — RSJ, GMA News