"However," Alejandro said, “we should not be complacent with this kasi the virus is still present in the country and we should still strictly follow all the measures to avoid being infected by the virus.”

He also emphasized that despite testing negative, “we are” now “trying to strengthen the existing measures for us to sustain yung COVID-free province that is why Executive Order No. 11 was issued to strengthen what we are basically doing.”

On April 12, Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon issued EO 11 strengthening the implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine thereby imposing a “tightened border lockdown” and the imposition of additional control measures against the spread of COVID-19.

Alejandro also cautioned the public about the circulating hearsays regarding a PUI.

“Baka may naririnig tayo na there is this certain person admitted in a hospital in Gensan who is dubbed as PUI of the facility, but based on our investigation and assessment, supposedly this particular individual should not be a PUI,” said Alejandro.

“We are instead entertaining a multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) of this patient, however, there is a pneumonia resulted in his X-ray.”

“But again” Alejandro cleared, “we cannot just categorize an individual with pneumonia as a COVID-related kasi kailangan i-establish yan whether it is a typical pneumonia or pneumonia but we understand the facility as such kasi it is also for their own protection.”

As of the writing, in the entire Region 12, Sarangani alone remains as COVID-free with 1 PUI(on-going home quarantine), 44 PUM (on-going 14 days quarantine) and zero confirmed COVID-19 case. (Joshua John Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)