The Regional Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team visited Olongapo and conducted a dialogue with the City Task Force (CTF) Against COVID-19 to discuss coronavirus issues in the city and provide guidance to its local officials. Hosted by Olongapo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the dialogue took place at the SMX Olongapo Convention Center, SM Olongapo City Central in Barangay East Tapinac, Olongapo City on October 21, 2020.

DILG OIC-Regional Director Jay E. Timbreza joined the Regional CODE Team, led by OCD Regional Director Maria Theresa R. Escolano, together with Dir. Marites M. Maristela of DSWD Field Office III, Chief Tourism Operations Officer Avon D. Timbol of DOT Region III, Police Lieutenant Anabela Gatas of PNP Regional Office III, DOLE Zambales Field Office Head Reynante Lugtu, DTI Zambales Consumer Protection Division Chief Enrique Tacbad, and met with Olongapo CTF headed by Mayor Rolen C. Paulino Jr.

During the dialogue, Dr. Zero Mella of Olongapo City Health Office presented the COVID-19 Situationer in Olongapo City and the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) Strategies of Olongapo CTF.

Then, the Regional CODE Team presented the Key Features of the National Action Plan or the PDITR Strategy, the Zoning Containment Strategy, and the Operational Framework of COVID-19 Response in Workplaces, which were discussed by OCD RD Escolano, Mr. Fernando M. Erese Jr. of DILG Olongapo and Mr. Arvin Fabian of DOLE, respectively.

Also, DSWD RD Maristela explained that the SAP-Emergency Subsidy Program for areas under granular lockdown can only be availed once, while DILG City Director Amada T. Dumagat shared PDITR initiatives of DILG Olongapo City focusing on the hiring of contact tracers as supplement to the City Contact Tracing Team.

In the question and answer forum, DILG OIC-RD Timbreza stressed the importance of submitting a request for a granular lockdown to the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF). He said that the resolution of concurrence of the RIATF is a requirement for the LGU to avail SAP-ESP for its concerned constituents.

In his closing message, Mayor Paulino expressed his gratitude to the Regional CODE Team for their tireless effort in guiding the city government of Olongapo on COVID-19 response.
Olongapo City also received personal protective equipment from the Regional CODE Team at the end of the dialogue.