As the world’s doctors and scientists race to develop a cure or vaccine for Covid-19, everyone else must do their part to limit the spread of the virus. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” However, if someone contracts Covid-19 despite having followed physical distancing measures and other health and safety protocols, it becomes necessary to immediately initiate contact tracing procedures.
People who have been in contact with someone infected with Covid-19 are at a high risk of becoming infected themselves; and if they are not aware of this, they also pose the threat of putting other people at the risk.
In Pasig City, the local government's efforts to run an effective and efficient contact tracing program received a boost when it obtained a donation of personal computers from the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation in collaboration with Robinsons Land Corporation.
GBF Executive Director Grace Colet and RLC President and CEO Frederick D. Go led the turnover of the computers to Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto during a simple ceremony at the Mayor's Office, witnessed by City Administrator Atty. Jeronimo U. Manzanero.
The donation of 60 personal computers will be used by Pasig's City Health Department and contact tracers in the new Covid-19 contact tracing facility at the Pasig City Hall complex. The equipment donation turnover coincides with the recent launch of the Pasig Health Monitor, an online health information and monitoring system for the city's residents.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto at the new Contact Tracing and Operations Center.
Through the new system, the Pasig LGU seeks to improve its contact tracing abilities by doubling the number of at-risk people it can reach. It aims to double the current ratio, of tracing 10 people who have been in contact with one Covid-19 positive individual, to 20 people reached for every infected individual.
This donation forms part of GBF’s “Juan Communities” program, which aims to build up communities where the Gokongwei Group operates. The program supports the communities' efforts to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 and help them adapt to the new normal. “The additional P50 million Covid-19 relief fund dedicated by GBF for Juan Communities signifies the Gokongwei Group's unrelenting commitment to be alongside fellow Filipinos on the difficult journey during these extraordinary times,” said Colet. “Now more than ever, we need fortitude in carrying on, helping each other and drawing from each other’s strengths.”
Juan Communities consist of select local government units whose hospitals, barangay healthcare units, and public schools will be provided with responsive and sustainable support by GBF and a partner Gokongwei Group company.
To date, GBF has allocated a total of P150 million for Covid-19 relief initiatives in support of medical healthcare workers and frontliners, hospitals, and communities amid the pandemic.
For more information on the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, visit gokongweibrothersfoundation.org
