GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija – The Interim Division VI office of the National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-ULRIIS) based in this town was placed under temporary lockdown after two of its employees allegedly tested positive for COVID-19, it was learned yesterday.
Engr. Jose Ariel G. Domingo, UPRIIS Interim Division VI manager said the two employees may have contracted the virus after attending a seminar hosted by UPRIIS at the NIA Guesthouse-Pantabangan Lakeshore Hotel from March 23 to 26 last month.
Domingo said the local government-rural health unit of Guimba earlier ordered the temporary lockdown of his office starting April 1 until April 15 as a safety precaution against the spread of the virus.
“Kasi nga sir, may order ang LGU-RHU na temporary lockdown ng office namin kasi may dalawang kaming empleyado na umattend sa paseminar ng UPRIIS sa DRD-Pantabangan, nahawa ng COVID-19,” said Domingo in his text message to the Journal Group.
On April 12, it was learned that the entire Interim Div. 6 office at the JCB Bldg. in Bgy. Cawayan Bugtong here was again disinfected amid the continuing threat posed by the killer virus.
“Aside from the regular disinfection, visitors are temporarily not allowed to enter the office for the month of April. Also, a skeleton workforce and alternative work arrangements for his workers are adopted as anti-COVID-19 measures as early as March 23 until April 30 while phone calls or texting shall be used to transact with farmers and other clienteles,” explained Domingo.
The irrigation division chief said: “This is part of the precautionary measures to fight and lessen the spread of COVID-19 and also to ensure the safety of our employees and clientele.”
