TACLOBAN CITY –– A lawmaker has urged local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas to require business establishments to let their workers undergo swab tests.
Rep. Florencio Noel of An Waray party-list said the measure is meant to address the rising number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the region.
“Our local government units should require (business) establishments to protect their employers as well as those they are serving. It is expensive but necessary,” said Noel, who required staff members and employees of his restaurant to undergo swab testing twice a month to ensure that they do not carry the deadly virus.
As of Monday, the region has 10,886 COVID-19 cases with 124 deaths.
He commended the LGUs in the region for addressing the pandemic despite their “meager income.”
The LGUs have allocated funds for the food of their returning residents, who are quarantined for at least 14 days.
Noel hoped that the national government would continue giving financial assistance to the LGUs during this pandemic.