COVID-19 mega swabbing facilities draw nearly 800 volunteers

MANILA, Philippines — Almost 800 government employees have volunteered to work in the country’s mega swabbing facilities aimed at beefing up the country’s coronavirus testing capacity, deputy chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19 response Vince Dizon said Friday.

“So ngayon po ay mahigit pitong daan na o halos walong daan na ang nag volunteer sa iba’t ibang line agencies, nagpapasalamat tayo sa lahat ng mga agencies at mga kawani ng agencies na ito na nag volunteer,” Dizon said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(Right now, there are over 700 or nearly 800 who have volunteered from various line agencies. We thank those agencies and workers who have volunteered.)

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, through a memorandum, directed Cabinet members to submit a list of at least 100 personnel who will be assigned as encoders or barcoders.

Health workers and medical students were also called to volunteer in the new facilities.

Dizon assured that proper compensation and hazard pay will be given to the volunteers.

“Meron pong sapat na compensation ito na ibibigay ang DOH, meron ponghazard pay na nakapaloob sa ating Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, at siyempre po ibibigay natin lahat ng protection, lahat ng pang aalaga sa ating mga frontliners na mag volunteer para dito,” he said.

(There is proper compensation to be given by the Department of Health. There is also hazard pay as stipulated under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. We will also give protection and care to all the frontliners who will volunteer.)

The four mega swabbing centersare in Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Enderun Colleges in Taguig City, and the Palacio de Maynila Tent in Roxas Boulevard.

The government aims to conduct at least 30,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of May.

GSG