Filipino youth’s smoking habits should be curbed to reduce risk of COVID-19 infection
Senator Win Gatchalian sees the need to heighten the campaign on the adverse effects of continued use of cigarette and tobacco products, especially among the youth, to lessen the risk of those vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. In a scientific brief, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that available evidence suggests an association between smoking […]
Birthing centers needed in isolated areas to prepare for future pandemics
As the country observes Safe Motherhood Week, Senator Win Gatchalian emphasized the need to establish birthing facilities in isolated and disadvantaged areas to reduce maternal deaths nationwide. While the Department of Health (DOH)’s Department Circular No. 2020-0167 maintained that maternal healthcare services in times of disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic must continue, Gatchalian said […]
OWWA needs to provide decent quarantine shelters for returning OFWs
Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to provide more decent quarantine homes for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to ensure their health and safety during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gatchalian deplored the condition of repatriated migrant workers who share a cramped room in an OWWA shelter house in […]
To DOH, LGUs: Ensure continued implementation of ‘First 1,000 Days Law’ amid COVID-19 crisis
With the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) still in effect, Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the continued delivery of health care programs in Local Government Units (LGUs) under the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act” (Republic Act 11148) or the “First 1,000 Days Law,” which he co-authored. The […]
Gov’t to replicate Valenzuela mass testing; testing asymptomatic carriers crucial
With the national government set to replicate Valenzuela City’s inclusion of Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) in mass testing activities, Senator Win Gatchalian said Local Government Units (LGUs) will be better equipped in tracking down asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 as this is crucial in containing the virus. Asymptomatic carriers are those categorized as Persons Under […]
LGUs should not neglect immunization services amid COVID-19
In the lead up to this year’s World Immunization Week, which takes place April 24-30, Senator Win Gatchalian called on Local Government Units (LGUs), especially the barangays, to ensure that immunization services are not compromised despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Gatchalian said that in planning COVID-19 measures and responses, the government should consider minimizing the […]
National government needs to capacitate LGUs to beat COVID-19
With the incidence of new COVID-19 cases growing by the day, Senator Win Gatchalian said Local Government Units (LGUs) should lead in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19, emphasizing that Test, Quarantine and Treatment (TQT) are the steps that LGUs should take to stem the tide. For one, Gatchalian said LGUs should have more […]
April 14 mass testing will determine success of ECQ extension
As the country conducts COVID-19 mass testing on Tuesday, Senator Win Gatchalian raised the need to do 10,000 mass testings a day to make the extended Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) reliable. This will identify and isolate those suspected cases of COVID-19 and treat confirmed cases nationwide, according to the senator. If that does not […]
To DOH: Faster hospital accreditation needed to process more virus testing kits
Senator Win Gatchalian is appalled over what he calls a sluggish COVID-19 testing capacity of the Department of Health (DOH). The senator recently found out that the DOH has yet to accredit any hospital to carry out COVID-19 testing even after pronouncements made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the newly delivered test […]
