Over 150 DSWD personnel get coronavirus, says spokeswoman

MANILA, Philippines — At least 150 personnel in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have contracted the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the agency’s spokeswoman Irene Dumlao said on Saturday.

“Kasalaukuyan, mayroon na 150 confirmed cases sa DSWD na kinabibilangan ng kawani sa iba’t ibang offices pati sa central office,” Dumlao told ABS-CBN Teleradyo when asked about the condition of workers in the agency.

(Currently, we have 150 confirmed cases in DSWD. They are from different offices and the central office.)

Of the 150, Dumlao said 57 already recovered from the respiratory ailment.

Among those who turned positive for the virus assisted in the distribution of cash aid during the pandemic, Dumlao said.

“Yung kawani na nagpositibo ay kinabibilangan ng paghahatid o tumutulong sa SAP (social amelioration program). Gayundin sa kawani na tumutulong sa pag-a-assess o pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga kliyente na humihingi ng assistance… in crisis situation. Gayundin sa humalili sa tugon ng pamamahala ng locally stranded individuals,” the spokesperson said.

(Those who turned positive were those who assisted in the SAP delivery. Some infected employees were also those who provided assistance during the crisis situation. Also infected were those who assisted the locally stranded individuals.)

Dumlao did not mention the total number of personnel in DSWD but she assured that the number of infected employees will not hinder the agency’s services.

“Patuloy na pinapahatid na tulong ng DSWD (DSWD will continue to bring help). The department is assuring the public of our commitment na magpatuloy ng pagbigay ng serbisyo (that we will continue our service) despite ongoing pandemic,” she said.

DSWD, which leads the implementation of SAP, previously said over 10 million families received the second tranche of the cash aid, which will help families cope with the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

CFC