While other countries are already busy with its vaccination roll-out, the national government is still dealing with calls for mass testing amid the high cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) being recorded daily since last month.
And the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is still mum when pressed to comment on calls for mass testing.
Even if mass COVID-19 testing is the ideal solution, many believe that this is not economically possible for a third world country like the Philippines.
Dan Acosta a chicharon (crispy pork skin) dealer from Sta. Maria, Bulacan said people should “not think of the impossible’’ stressing that the harsh reality is “the country cannot afford it’’ stressing that men in the officials are educated people who have thought of that option but are fully aware that (mass testing) is not economically feasible.
“Magandang ideya yan (COVID-19 mass testing) pero ang siste kaya ba ng bansa na gastusan ito? Sa ngayong yung mga bansang mayayaman ang nakakakuha ng maraming COVID-19 na bakuna na talagang mabilingmabili. Ang Pilipinas nag-iintay lang sa isang tabi para sa bakuna. Iyan ang masakit na katotohanan (It is a good idea but can the country afford it? At present rich countries are having the lion’s share of the in demand COVID-19 vaccines with the Philippines just waiting in the sidelines for whatever is available. That is the bitter reality),’’ Acosta said.
“What the people can do is to just stay home if possible, wear masks and face shields, observe physical distancing, avoid crowded places, always be hygienic, pray and hope for the best,’’ he added.
The idea of mass testing came anew after some Quezon City residents complained that some COVID-19 positive barangay officials and personnel who should be placed under quarantine are freely roaming the streets.
However, the complaining parties, who requested anonymity, do not want to give the names of the said barangay men.
In an interview on Monday, April 5, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said “if the claims are validated that barangay officials have been knowingly breaching quarantine protocols, they are liable under several ordinances as well as R.A. (Republic Act) 11332.’’
Known as the "Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act", Section 2 of Republic Act 11332 states that it is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
As a policy, Belmonte said the city government provides free testing for all COVID-19 symptomatic persons, individuals with close contacts to COVID-19 positive patients and those under special concern lockdown.