The Mindanao Daily Mirror

THE NATION MDM

P8 wednesday | april 29, 2020

Gov't to do mass testingin NCR by May 7: Galvez

National Task Force COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr.

MANILA – The government is planning to a massive and expanded testing of suspected cases of COVID-19 in Metro Manila not later than May 7, National Task Force COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Tuesday.

During a virtual hearing of the House Defeat COVID-19 Committee (DCC), Galvez said the government will prioritize the National Capital Region, which he described as the “center of

gravity” of the pandemic in the country, in the mass testing to stop the spread of the virus.

Galvez said the scope covers persons under investigation and monitoring for possible infection, as well as front-liners.

“Once we are able to flatten the curve in NCR, we are 70 percent finished in winning the fight against COVID-19,” Galvez said.

Mass testing for other red or high-risk areas under the Luzon-wide enhanced

community quarantine will be done not later than May 15.

He noted that the national task force also aims to do 20,000 tests daily starting May 15 and 30,000 tests a day not later than May 30 with a standard processing time of 24 to 48 hours in releasing the results.

He said as a way forward, all facilities will be reconfigured to the “new normal” of social and physical distancing.

He said inbound

overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be properly processed, with one-stop shops available for rapid testing in airports.

He said an arriving OFW shall undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at government-managed facilities and a round of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests.

The task force is also responsible for handling the return of stranded persons to their areas and the repatriation of foreigners. PNA

Fire hits building in Fort Bonifacio

FORT BONIFACIO FIRE. Philippine Army troops and firefighters extinguish the fire that razed the Finance Center Philippine Army (FCPA) building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (April 27, 2020). ARMY CHIEF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

MANILA – A fire gutted the Finance Center Philippine Army (FCPA) building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday night.

In a statement Tuesday, PA spokesperson Colonel Ramon Zagala said the blaze started around 8:45 p.m. at the Governance and Strategy Management Office (GSMO) located at FCPA building and was declared fire out at 10:03 p.m.

Army troops and other firefighting units contained and extinguished the fire.

“This is an unfortunate event for the Philippine Army. However, we are very thankful that no one got hurt from the incident. We deeply appreciate how other units and cities

immediately responded in helping us to stop the fire before it caused further destruction to other Army properties," Zagala said.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated as of this time. Fire trucks from other branches and neighboring cities immediately came to help extinguish the fire.

Zagala said the Philippine Navy, Taguig City, Pasay City, Makati City, Baclaran, and Pateros were among the primary responders which sent out trucks in addition to 15 other firetrucks that helped in putting out the fire.

No casualty was reported and the cost of damage has yet to be determined. PNA

NOT YET. Dozens of tricycles are impounded at the Plaza Miranda Police Station, in front of Quiapo Church, in Manila City on Monday (April 27, 2020) after some drivers have been found violating the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). JOEY O. RAZON/PNA

Duterte wants swiftdelivery of medicines

UPDATES. President Rodrigo Duterte updates the nation on the government's efforts in addressing the COVID-19 crisis at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on April 27, 2020. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered concerned government agencies to speed up the delivery of medicines and medical supplies for patients infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a televised public address on Monday night, Duterte urged agencies to course medicines and medical supplies through Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez, the chief implementer of the National Policy Against COVID-19.

“Ang utos ko ngayon is i-deliver ninyo ‘yung medicines kay General Galvez, Secretary Galvez (My order now is to deliver medicines to Secretary Galvez),” he said.

Duterte said city health officials lack the manpower to immediately deliver the medicines to hospitals in their respective areas.

“Huwag na sa (Don’t deliver it to) city health because city health has no manpower to attend to all of these things. Ito naman kasi kay (But) Galvez, he can distribute the burden to

the different participating government agencies,” he said.

He said agencies should waste no time in sending the medicines to hospitals and other health facilities.

“Gusto kong madalian (I want it done quickly). So i-deliver ninyo ito (it) if it’s intended for the provinces outside of Metro Manila. Iyong malayo (Those far away) it’s being ferried by plane, ‘yung malapit lang of course by land pero gusto ko na dumating sa madaling panahon (those nearby of course by land but I want them to arrive as soon as possible),” he said.

The President also requested the Philippine Air Force-Tactical Operations Group (PAF-TOG) to help out with the delivery efforts in distant areas.

“I have requested na ‘yung para sa mga malalayo na lugar i-deliver na lang ng Air Force doon sa TOG (that the Air Force deliver medicines in distant places),” he said.

He said the PAF could even use military helicopters. PNA