Duterte orders gov’t agencies to boost COVID testing capacity in provinces

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte wants authorities to increase the capacity for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in provinces so overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can get tested in their localities.

This was announced in an interview with GMA’s “Unang Hirit” by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday.

“Ipinag-utos din ng Presidente na dapat palakasin ang iba’t ibang PCR testing para sa darating na mga araw, pauuwiin na ang mga OFWs, doon na sila magka-quarantine sa kanilang mga probinsya,” according to him.

Roque said Duterte also gave the Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Department of Health one week to let the 24,000 OFWs who are still waiting for their coronavirus (Covid-19) test results to go home.

“Sinabi po ng Presidente na pwede nilang gamitin ang lahat ng resources ng gobyerno at gamitin nila ang lahat ng pamamaraan ng transportasyon para mapauwi na ang mga OFWs natin,” he added.

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap sa ating Presidente na matapos mag lingkod sa ating bayan bilang OFW, eh ngayon lalo pang mahihirapan habang nag-aantay ng kanila mga Covid-19 results.”

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)