The Philippine National Police (PNP) has revealed a six-point plan to adjust the organization to the new normal situation amid the continuous threat of the coronavirus which has so far infected more than 300 cops, four of them died.
PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said the six key outline of the PNP’s new normal adaptation was crafted by a study group which he created during the first few weeks of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) high infection rate in the country.
In fact, he said the regular Monday flag-raising ceremony has been adjusted to conform to the operating guidelines under the new normal.
These are:
- Adherence to Minimum Health Standards – these are DoH-defined non-pharmaceutical interventions that do not involve vaccines and medications which individuals and communities can carry out to mitigate the spread of infection;
- Use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to minimize transmission of disease by migration of physical/in-person processes to a virtual environment thru the use of electronic communication platforms, social media, and devices such as drone, CCTV, body worn camera;
- Revised Deployment Scheme/ Work Schedule- adjustments to ensure that all PNP personnel, particularly front-liners, are free from infection and are all fit for work thru work-from-home arrangement, skeleton workforce, 4-day (compressed) workweek and staggered working hours;
- Enhanced Personal Knowledge/Competency- integration of health-related learning in the curriculum of different police courses and training programs;
- Enhanced Workspace Infrastructure adjustments to PNP workspaces (both office and vehicle) to ensure that risk of infection is minimized;
- New Equipment and Additional Funding for test kits, PPE, collapsible tents, hospital beds, IT equipment, connectivity, and non-lethal police intervention equipment.
Gamboa admitted that the adaptation to the PNP’s normal would be a big challenge, noting the huge budget needed for the digitization and improvement of infrastructure in police camps.
“A greater challenge lies in how well we can reconcile these New Normal guidelines with existing policies and procedures particularly with the Police Operational Procedures,” said Gamboa.
Based on the latest data, a total of 315 policemen were infected by the coronavirus, most of them are assigned in the quarantine control points where private vehicles and civilians are being checked.
But Gamboa said that as of Sunday, there are no more severe cases PNP COVID patients admitted in hospitals. He said all active 247 cases are either under home quarantine or are in quarantine facilities for mild to moderate cases.
“As of Sunday, we have posted a recovery rate of 51.9% of the total 314 confirmed cases among PNP personnel, 163 of whom have since recovered while no new deaths were reported since April,” said Gamboa.
Among the 163 recovered cases, 109 or 67% are yet to complete the required quarantine period while 54 cases or 33% have been declared as completely recovered. (Aaron Recuenco)
