A total of 87 frontliners in Pandi town in Bulacan undergoes Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT PCR) or swab testing through the initiative of the local government here on Thursday.
The mass swab testing was conducted on frontliners including doctors, nurses, municipal and barangay officials, police, soldiers, firefighters, and staff of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) and municipal employees held in the Barangay Poblacion covered court.
The program made possible through the initiative of the local government of Pandi led by Mayor Enrico Roque in collaboration with the Municipal Health Office (MHO) headed by Dra. Maricel Atal and Raymond Austria of MDRRMO.
“It is important for frontliners to know that they are negative for the peace of mind of their family members as well,” Roque said.
The program was themed “One Fine Day with The Frontliners, Protect the Protectors” as the said frontliners are the heroes of this pandemic.
“Ang programang ito ay magbibigay ng lakas at sigla para sa ating mga frontliners upang harapin ang susunod pang mga hamon sa ating kalusugan sa panahon ng pandemiya dulot ng Covid-19,” Mayor Roque said.
According to the mayor, the local government of Pandi is ready in case there is a positive and it will be immediately taken to the Action Pandi Home Quarantine Facility with 72 bed capacity.
Dr Rusty Francisco, chairman of the department of Public Affairs Committee of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) was the one who requested for a swab test but for doctors and nurses only but the mayor included the other frontliners during the program.
“There are frontliners from the very beginning for 6-7 months since the Covid-19 pandemic started have not been tested so we are thankful to Mayor Roque for the immediate action and hopefully other LGUs will follow too,” said Dr. Francisco.
There are currently 47 confirmed cases of which 3 are active cases, with 41 recoveries and 3 deaths in the said town.
IN PHOTOS: Mayor Enrico Roque (inset) of Pandi, Bulacan leads the free swab testing of some 87 frontliners including doctors, nurses, municipal and barangay officials, police, soldiers, firefighters, personnel from the MDRRMO and selected municipal employees held in Barangay Poblacion covered court on Thursday. (ELOI SAMONTE)