Philippine Red Cross begins COVID-19 mass testing for arriving OFWs

Senator Richard Gordon yesterday said that the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has started testing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who just arrived in the country for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at its newly-inaugurated molecular laboratory inside PRC’s Logistics Center in Mandaluyong City.

“Our aim is to really get our people tested so that we can immediately isolate those who are affected and prevent the non-carriers from acquiring the virus. We want to make sure that our OFWs are safe before they go home to their families,” said Gordon, who acts as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PRC.

Gordon adds that they are planning to put up 20 more laboratories throughout the country where they could test more people.

He said that the PRC and PCG will also start testing returning OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals I and II, and at the Eva Macapagal Terminal at the Manila South Harbor.

On April 30, Gordon met with Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Vivencio Dizon and the Philippine Coast Guard Task Force Laban Coronavirus medical team headed by Captain Eric Steven Guieb to discuss the measures and proper protocol to be followed during the rapid testing at the airports.

The swabbing will be conducted by nurses and medical technologists of the armed forces under the supervision of PRC staff to ensure that the procedures are followed correctly.

OFWs who test negative for COVID-19 will be allowed to go on home quarantine instead of being isolated in government facilities, Presidential adviser for flagship programs and projects Vince Dizon said.

“Umaabot ng 1,000 mahigit ang dumarating na OFWs everyday. We want to test them and we want to work with Chairman Gordon para mabilis iyong resulta,” he said.