Iwahig Corrections Facility formerly known as Iwahig Prisons and Penal Farm designated a quarantine building which will serve as an isolation area in preparation for COVID-19.
Chief Superintendent Raul Levita, the head of Iwahig Corrections Facility, told Palawan Daily that all measures are being undertaken inside the facility to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on PDLs who are currently cramped in Iwahig.
The isolation area is furnished with the basic requirements needed in containing PUMs and PUIs with 18 single rooms with own toilets, beddings, a sink and electric fan intended for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) who will have symptoms of the virus.
“Marami tayong measures na ginagawa dahil ayaw nating malusutan ng virus na ‘yan dahil we have to protect our PDLs kaya nga total lockdown tayo even sa dalaw at tourists, and now, we prepared ‘yung isolation area with complete facilities if just in case na magkaroon pero ‘wag naman sana,” Levita said in an interview.
Personal protective equipment, isolation suit and disinfecting solution were also available provided to Iwahig by DOH Palawan even IEC materials on how to fight and what to do during this time of crisis.
“Sobra po ang higpit ngayon from gate palang may body temperature scanning tayo, handwashing area, disinfecting area at may foot bath din to prevent this virus even sa personnel natin ay may 14 days quarantine sa loob which is duty nila ‘yun at ang nasa labas ay 14 days quarantine din sa bahay nila at pagpalit nila, marami silang dadaanan na proseso para makasiguro tayo,” added the facility chief.
And to ensure the safety of all from the virus, ICF management limited the contact between the PDLs and their staff and the personnel on-duty were strictly advised to follow social distancing.
Levita also said that they were happy because until this time, Iwahig Corrections Facility and its sub-colonies were all free from COVID-19.
“Masaya parin tayo dahil safe ang mga staff natin at PDLs kaya sa mga pamilya nila, sana maintindihan nila na ginawa namin ang lockdown para sa kapakanan ng lahat but rest assured is inaalagaan naming sila even their personal needs like hygiene kits is provided namin at kahit nga kaming personnel ay nag-iingat din para hindi magkahawaan dito sa loob,” he added.