By Martin Sadongdong

A unit of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Mindanao has taken proactive measures to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among its personnel and staff.

The Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao (TOW EastMin) said Friday that the measures were implemented in line with the directive of Major General Allen Paredes to protect every Air Force personnel from the disease and collaborate with stakeholders in addressing the threat of the COVID-19.

Colonel Dennis Estrella, Wing Commander of the TOW EastMin, said a troop information and education seminar was conducted to educate the personnel on the nature of the coronavirus, and its impact around the world.

Tarpaulins and signages reminding the personnel of the symptoms and the do’s and don’ts to prevent the personnel from acquiring the virus were also placed in strategic areas inside their base camp at the Davao Air Station in Sasa, Davao City.

The unit also attended a discussion which tackled safety measures and best practices for passengers during commercial flights that was spearheaded by visiting personnel from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

As such, the said practices were adopted by the Davao region’s Tactical Operations Group (TOG-11) in the security screening of all passengers boarding military aircrafts.

“All visitors coming from outside the base [will be] subjected for body temperature screening as a standard operating procedure for the base security,” Estrella said.

Military pilots arriving at the base will also be subjected to body temperature screening to ensure that they free from COVID-19, he added.

An isolation area inside the base camp was established for people suspected to have acquired the COVID-19, especially those showing symptoms such as colds or flu.

Estrella vowed that the TOW EastMin will “always support the government’s effort to ensure the safety and security of the citizenry.” (Martin A. Sadongdong)