Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) — As the government intensifies its efforts to test more people for COVID-19, each Cabinet member has been ordered to designate at least 100 government personnel to assist in the mega swabbing centers set to open this week.
In a memorandum issued on Tuesday, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea directed the members of the Cabinet to tap government workers who shall man the four major testing centers in Metro Manila and Bulacan.
“The members of the Cabinet are hereby directed to each submit to the Office of the President, within 24 hours from the issuance of this Memorandum, a list of at least 100 personnel, who shall be assigned as encoders or barcoders in the abovementioned centers, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations,” the memorandum read.
This order came after an agreement was reached within the Cabinet and among concerned government agencies during a Monday meeting on COVID-19 response, Medialdea said.
The list may include personnel from the respective departments or offices, including attached agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and government financial institutions under the Cabinet members’ supervision.
According to the Executive Secretary, those who will be deployed will be given the necessary training, protective medical equipment, accommodation, food, and transportation to and from the swabbing centers.
He emphasized that the assigned personnel will be afforded COVID-19 hazard pay and/or special risk allowance.
The four mega swabbing centers are located in the Philippine Arena in Bulacan to cater to residents up north, the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, the Enderun Tent in Taguig for the east sector, and the Palacio de Maynila tent along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.
The centers were established by the National Task Force Against COVID-19
The Department of Health earlier said it is hoping to expand daily testing capacity to 30,000 by the end of May.
