DAVAO DEL NORTE, Nov. 9 – The local government units and national agencies in the Davao region are set to implement the BIDA bastonero/bastonera as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID19.

The implementation was discussed during the ‘BIDA Re-orientation’ online meeting between Information Officers throughout the Davao region and the Department of Health (DOH) XI. Yasmin M. Avila, Health Education and Promotions Officer III of DOH XI, said that the BIDA bastonero/bastonera will subsequently encourage people to adhere to health protocols.

According to Avila, the bastoneros/bastoneras are authorities officially designated in a certain workplace to ensure health protocol adherence. They will inform the staff and employees about the BIDA Solusyon Campaign and the Infection and Prevention Control measures.

BIDA Solusyon is a communication campaign to prevent COVID19 spread; each letter of BIDA is a call to action which are: B-awal ang walay mask (Wear a mask), I-sanitize ang mga kamay (Sanitize your hands), D-umistansiya ng isang metro (Keep a 1-meter social distance), and A-ksyon base sa totoong impormasyon (Act based on correct information).

Thus, the assigned bastoneros/bastoneras will also make sure that these actions are constantly being reminded to the people. In addition, they will correct those who are not adhering to the health protocols while appreciating those who are strictly following. In the residential areas, the bastoneros/bastoneras may be the Barangay Kagawad, Tanod, Barangay Health Workers, and SK Chairman.

On September 16, 2020, the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI issued RDC XI Resolution No. 109, series of 2020 “Enjoining the National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, and the General Public to Support the Department of Health BIDA Solusyon Campaign and the adoption of BIDA bastonero/bastonera to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease”. (Jan Vincent Leuterio, PIA-XI)