SARS scare causing absenteeism among Clark workers

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — The SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) scare has given rise to absenteeism among workers in the Clark special economic zone.

"The SARS panic is really getting too much, considering that more people die from other causes such as ailments caused by cigarette smoking," said Hans Anselm, vice president of the Clark Investors and Locators Association, during a forum on SARS here yesterday.

Anselm said many Clark workers, who experience even slight ailments, no longer report for work and consult their doctors for fear that they have contracted the SARS virus.

Dr. Eric Tayag, assistant regional director of the Department of Health, said a "degree of fear" has proven helpful in curbing the spread of SARS.

"Fear has a place in public health, especially for those arriving from Hong Kong and other countries significantly affected by SARS," he told his audience, mostly Clark investors, at the Clark Museum.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Angeles, CDC president and chief executive officer, said the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here would soon have a SARS quarantine center in preparation for next month’s launch of the international flights of Korean carrier Asiana Airlines.

"We cannot prevent the DMIA’s development because of our fear of SARS. We will be ready for increased flights by preparing a SARS quarantine center here," he said.

In another development, regional health authorities have declared a 39-year-old Taiwanese employee of a manufacturing company at the Subic Freeport, as SARS-free, contrary to rumors.

The Taiwanese was first brought to the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City where he was advised to undergo quarantine, which he refused.

He was then brought to the Total Life Medical Center, also in Olongapo, where he was diagnosed to be suffering from "exudative tonsillitis."

Dr. Rogelio Antipolo, Subic medical officer of the Bureau of Quarantine, and Dr. Abelardo Laxamana of the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, subsequently confirmed the diagnosis.

In a statement, Felicito Payumo, chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, said the freeport is still SARS-free and that the SBMA continues to be vigilant in monitoring the entry of foreigners. — With Ric Sapnu