To fortify the capacities of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), the DILG-Olongapo City, in coordination with the City Health Office (CHO), conducted Online Webinar Series (OWS) Episodes 1 And 2 Titled: “Engaging BHERTs for a Safer Community” and “BHERTs In Action: Safeguarding the Community” on April 30, 2021 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall.

City Director Amada T. Dumagat, in her message, acknowledged the vital roles of the BHERTs as frontliners for COVID-19 response, thus it is necessary to continuously strengthen the capacities of BHERTS to ensure that they are able to carry out their duties.

Dr. Zero Mella, CHO representative, gave presentations on Case Identification and Investigation, Surveillance and Contact Tracing, Case Management and Monitoring as refresher for the BHERT members.

LGOO V Fernando M. Erese, Jr. discussed the difference between quarantine and isolation, and their application. He also tackled the qualifications for home and facility quarantine, and home and facility isolation.

CD Dumagat shared some facts about COVID-19 such as the signs and symptoms, mobilization of health response teams and management of health emergency brought by the pandemic.

Punong Barangays, Barangay Kagawads, Health Workers, Executive Officers and Tanods attended the online activity. The webinar series is under the Building Healthy Communities by Enhancing Capacities and Revitalizing BHERTs Towards COVID-19 Free Communities -First Responders In Ending NCOV DiseaseS or the BHERT-FRIENDS Project, a retooling and retraining course for the BHERTs. The project aims to provide webinar series, talakayan sa barangay forum or dialogue, and BHERT information materials like pocket guide, collaterals, AVP and flyers.