Senator Joel Villanueva on Sunday reiterated his call for the government to impose the conduct of regular and randomized COVID-19 testing in workplaces, as workers are the number one victims of coronavirus infections.
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Villanueva, chair of the Senate committee on labor and employment, renewed his push following the Department of Health’s (DOH) disclosure that majority of COVID-19 cases are from working age groups.
“Dapat kasama po sa pagpayag ng pagbubukas ng negosyo ang pagsasagawa ng regular at random testing sa mga opisina at lugar-paggawa upang agad matunton ang mga may sakit at kaagad sila ma-isolate para hindi makahawa (Regular and random testing in offices and other working facilities should be conducted simultaneous with the reopening of businesses, so we can easily trace those who are sick and they can be isolated immediately),” Villanueva said.
“Huwag na po natin antayin na lumala ang pagkalat ng sakit sa mga lugar-paggawa bago po tayo umaksyon (Let’s not wait for the disease to spread in the workplace before we take any action),” he said.
Data from the health department showed that as of August 15, the 20-29 years age group had the greatest number of infections in the tally with 39,358 cases.
This was followed by the 30-39 years age group with 37,087 cases; the 40-49 years age group with 25,687 cases; and the 50-59 age group with 19,404 cases.
Villanueva said testing and contact tracing is still the most effective strategy to fight COVID-19 at this time.
The government should find a way to ensure that the workplaces are safe and help the employers. One option is for PhilHealth to pay the tests since workers pay premiums every month, as well as ensure compliance with DOLE-DTI health standards, he said.
“Hinihiling po natin sa ating gobyerno na tulungan ang mga employer na isagawa ang regular, random testing sa kani-kanilang mga opisina at lugar-paggawa. (We urge the government to help employers conduct regular, random testing in their respective offices and work places),” he said.
Villanueva said he is alarmed that the cumulative COVID-19 positivity rate in the Philippines has already breached 10 percent. Based on studies by the World Health Organization (WHO), a positivity rate of less than 5 percent is an indicator that the epidemic in the country is under control.
Likewise, he said DOLE should resume its labor inspections to ensure that health standards are observed in workplaces.