MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday directed the mayor of Angeles City in Pampanga to reopen a private hospital which was earlier shut down for admitting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and three persons under investigation (PUIs) who are nor residents of the city.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the closure of the Philippine Rehabilitation Institute Medical Center (PRIMC) is “contrary” to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which declares immediate healthcare to patients infected with the respiratory disease, PUIs and persons under monitoring (PUMs).

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On Saturday, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. ordered the closure and revocation of permit of the hospital after it violated a memorandum of agreement that it would only treat COVID-19 patients from Angeles City.

“Hinimok po namin ang alkalde ng Angeles City na buksan muli ang PRIMC ngayong nasa gitna tayo ng COVID-19 crisis. [We are urging the mayor of Angeles City to reopen the PRIMC, now that we are facing the COVID-19 crisis],” he said in a statement.

“We are in a critical time where there is urgency to provide health service to PUIs, PUMs or Covid-19 patients whether they are your constituents or patients from other places,” Año added.

Año also reminded local chief executives not to discriminate against patients who are non-residents during the health crisis.

To date, the health department reported 1,546 confirmed cases of the infectious disease caused by novel coronavirus. Of the number, the illness killed 78 people while 42 have recovered from the disease.

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For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

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