Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar announced on Wednesday that he tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“I regret to announce that today, July 15, I received my test result and it is positive for COVID-19,” he said in a Facebook post.
This was also confirmed by other DPWH officials.
Villar led the contract signing and ground breaking of CAVITEX last July 10. He also spearheaded the first drive-thru event for the opening of a segment of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) last July 3.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said he was with Villar last July 10 for the contract signing and ground breaking event.
He underwent a swab test and was tested negative for COVID-19.
He, however, said he will still undergo a rapid test prior to the meeting with President Duterte later Wednesday, during which he will keep his distance.
Roque promised to stay “at the farthest end of the room,” wear a mask, keep distance, and wash hands as a precaution against the coronavirus. The President is expected to meet with several Cabinet members Wednesday before announcing the country’s new classification status beyond July 15.
Villar, who heads the implementation of COVID-19 related projects and "Build, Build, Build" projects, has been placed under quarantine.
The DPWH assured that the infrastructure projects will not be interrupted as there is a department task force and committee on COVID-19 that oversee the construction of various quarantine facilities.
Undersecretary Emil Sadain heads the DPWH Task Force to Facilitate Augmentation of Local and National Healthcare Facilities while Undersecretary Rafael Yabut chairs the DPWH COVID-19 Coordination Committee.
Villar is the third Cabinet member to be infected with COVID-19 after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Education Secretary Leonor Briones who have recovered from the disease.
Lorenzana tests negative
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced on
Wednesday that he had tested negative for COVID-19.
“Dear everyone, my test came out negative. Thanks for the prayers,” the 71-year-old defense chief told reporters.
Lorenzana was subjected to a COVID-19 test after one of his staff tested positive for the disease. The result of his staff's test was made public on Tuesday.
The concerned staff member joined Lorenzana and other ranking defense and military officials in two official functions in Subic, Zambales, last July 10 and Jolo, Sulu, last July 13.
As of this writing, Lorenzana has yet to confirm if he will continue or terminate his self-quarantine.
As the chairman of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, Lorenzana is often present in meetings and public addresses called by President Duterte.
He also convenes NTF leaders and officials to discuss the implementation of COVID-related policies.
He goes around the country to visit areas with COVID-19 concerns and deliver medical supplies, equipment or donations.
As the chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), he also attends events such as turnover of donations by various local and international groups or individuals to aid the national government in its COVID-19 response. (With reports
from Genalyn D. Kabiling and Martin A. Sadongdong)