The local government of Capas, Tarlac led by Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan has expressed their disappointment over the lack of coordination of the Health Department to turn New Clark City into a quarantine facility.
“While it is true that I, as a Filipino, am in favor of the repatriation of OFWs from the province of Hubei, China, I feel perturbed by the fact that Department of Health (DOH) did not at all, in any way, involve the Capas LGU in its last-minute decision for New Clark City Capas to be used as quarantine zone for these Persons under Monitoring (PUMs),” Catacutan said in a statement on Facebook.
The LGU added that they would like to appeal to the President to place another Filipino in a different quarantine area.
“We acknowledge that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has full jurisdiction over NCC, but I, as the Mayor of Capas, appeal in behalf of all Capaseños to our dear President Rodrigo Duterte and DOH Secretary Francisco Duque to consider another place or facility as isolation area,” he said.
Local officials from Tarlac even said that there was no consultation on the part of the DOH and BCDA to arrange the quarantine facility.
They also conducted an emergency meeting to discuss the issue.
“Let it be known too, that this news report and move by the Department of Health was not coordinated to our local officials. there is no notice either from BCDA or DOH was ever given, it came fully as a surprise and shock to each and everyone especially to the entire people of Capas,” the LGU said in a statement.
READ MORE: BREAKING: DOH to use New Clark City as quarantine area for Filipinos from Hubei, China
