Here are the reasons why some Philippine municipalities remain COVID-19-free

On Monday, the Philippines reported its record-high 10,016 new COVID-19 cases. But while the country has the highest number of infections in the western Pacific region, it also has areas that remain free from the disease.

Out of more than 2,000 municipalities, 21 are COVID-19-free: 10 in Luzon, one in Visayas, and 10 in Mindanao.

As Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna are placed under another enhanced community quarantine, many people wonder how other areas are keeping the virus out.

Strict resident-first approach

Burgos, Ilocos Norte, which has a population of 10,000, is among the municipalities in the country with zero cases.

As early as March 2020, the town implemented the following: set up strict entry and exit points, distributed informative flyers written in Ilocano to residents, formed a 24/7 COVID-19 response team, built border facility areas, and followed the advice of medical experts.

To date, the area has zero cases and is continuously carrying out preventive measures.

Rural health physician Dr. Pamela Reyes, however, said residents still had to be extra careful because Burgos was sandwiched between municipalities that had COVID-19 cases.

If someone tested positive during the border screening, Reyes said they wouldn’t be allowed to enter Burgos. Vehicles were also disinfected and travelers were instructed to change clothes before entry.

“Since this is a medical concern, they take the advice of the medical team to guide the protocols. They really are serious about keeping Burgos COVID-free,” she said.

She added that during their lockdown, the local government unit provided each household with supplies and each individual received financial assistance and food, which were delivered to their homes.

Even five-year-old children got money, said Reyes.

Two months ago, the LGU began requiring travelers to present a negative PCR test.

On their 5th to 7th day of stay, they would be given another test. Even if they turn out negative, they would still have to finish their quarantine period.

Aside from proper testing and strict policies, Burgos also launched a “Pick Fresh, Pay Less” program to help out residents.

Under the program, vegetables were sold at 50% off and residents themselves could do their own harvest.

The local government also offered palay seeds to those interested in planting, and gave out animals such as goats to farmers.

It also came up with other creative ways to help residents, like holding online searches for the “cutest baby” and “most beautiful lola” and gave away cash prizes to the winners.

Preventive response led by medical experts

Batanes had its fifth COVID-19 case only in March 2021 and four of its municipalities remained COVID-free.

According to Batanes Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) former member Dr. Noel Bernardo, it’s expected that the province will have a case at some point. While residents are not prohibited from coming back, tourists are still not allowed.

Bernardo said they set up systems as early as possible to prevent the spread of the infection among the population.

“As early as January, even without the orders from the national government, we already implemented a lot of measures para maprotektahan’ yung sarili namin (to protect ourselves),” he said.

“Our government officials are very cooperative and they trust science. They trust their doctors and the ones who run our provincial IATF are the doctors,” Bernardo said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“Kaya naman we made sound policies sa decision-making namin, talagang grounded ang response namin.”

[That’s why we made sound policies during our decision-making, and our response is really grounded.]

For its 17,000 residents, Batanes has only one Level 1 hospital that offers only basic health services and has no intensive care unit.

What the province lacked in medical facilities, however, it compensated for with its strong policies and discipline.

As of Wednesday, the tally of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines has risen to 747,288, bringing the total of active cases to 130,245, this year’s highest. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News