Hontiveros wants mandatory COVID-19 testing for returning workers

Senator Risa Hontiveros advocates for mandatory COVID-19 testing of all returning workers under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ) to ensure occupational safety.

Hontiveros argues that if testing is required for POGO workers, it should also be required for Filipino workers facing similar risks, emphasizing that asymptomatic individuals must also be tested.

The government has announced the easing of quarantine protocols starting May 16, allowing 50% of the workforce in MECQ areas and up to 75% in GCQ areas to return to work.

Hontiveros emphasizes the need for additional precautions as current safety guidelines from DOLE and DTI do not provide a means to detect asymptomatic infected workers.

She calls for collaboration between the private sector and government to implement health measures such as PPE use and social distancing to create disease-free workplaces.

The Department of Health (DOH) stated that the Philippines currently lacks the capacity to conduct mass testing for all employees using RT-PCR laboratory methods.