FILE PHOTO: The Swab Cab initiative of the office of Vice President Leni Robredo, offering free antigen testing in identified areas to help in local government efforts against COVID-19. Photo by Jay Ganzon / OVP
MANILA, Philippines — The Swab Cab project – the mobile free COVID-19 testing initiated by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) – will resume operations on Wednesday, January 5, at Barangay Tandang Sora in Quezon City.
This was announced by Vice President Leni Robredo on her personal Facebook account on Tuesday, saying the free antigen test service would run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Robredo also clarified that walk-ins are allowed for the mobile COVID-19 testing.
“We are rolling out our Swab Cab services again this week, in partnership with the Quezon City LGU and our Angat Buhay partners. Bukas, nasa Brgy. Tandang Sora ang team natin, kung saan magsesetup tayo ng libreng mobile antigen swab center service,” she said in a post of Facebook.
“Pwede pong mag-walk-in, mula 8AM hanggang 5PM,” she added.
After Barangay Tandang Sora, Robredo said the Swab Cab would be at the Quezon City Circle in the coming days. However, at the Quezon City Circle, she noted that people who want to be tested for COVID-19 would have to sign up first and wait for confirmation.
“Sa susunod naman na araw, nasa QCX site, Quezon City Circle ang ating Swab Cab. May pre-registration through the LGU ang rollout natin doon, at kailangan po muna mag-sign up at maghintay ng confirmation through this link: https://bit.ly/QCfreetest,” Robredo said.
Robredo again reminded the public to be mindful and continue observing health protocols against COVID-19, as the country sees a rapid rise in infections after the holiday season.
“With the continuing increase of COVID-19 cases, patuloy po sana tayong sumunod sa mga health protocol. Magsuot ng mask, at kung hindi kailangang lumabas, manatili sa loob ng bahay,” she appealed.
“Magpabakuna, at magpa-booster shot na rin kung qualified na. Let’s keep each other safe from the virus!” she said.
On Monday, Robredo said those who may need telemedicine consultations can still use the OVP’s Bayanihan e-Konsulta channel, which can be found on Facebook.
The OVP launched both the Bayanihan e-Konsulta and Swab Cab projects in 2021, after Robredo and her teams saw the need for a recalibration of their COVID-19 response efforts. Prior to the two programs, OVP focused on providing personal protective equipment (PPE) sets to health care workers and giving free shuttle rides and dormitory access to medical frontliners.
READ: Bayanihan E-Konsulta? Vaccine Express? Robredo says more to come if elected president
The country is currently recording a sudden uptick in new COVID-19 cases, forcing the national government to put Metro Manila and three other nearby provinces under Alert Level 3.
READ: NCR under Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3 to January 15 — Palace
As of Tuesday, the country’s active COVID-19 infections swelled to 29,809 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 5,434 new infections.
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