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COVID-19 THREAT

Cabinet execs Villar, Diokno, Avisado, Briones undergo self-quarantine


Four more Cabinet officials have gone into self-quarantine over concerns of exposure to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The officials were Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, and Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

“I am on self-quarantine now,” Avisado said in a text message.

Pressed for further details, he said he was not exposed to the person tested positive COVID-19.

“Kay Sec. Sony lang,” Avisado said, referring to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, who had admitted to shaking hands with an individual positive for COVID-19.

In a separate text message, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Build, Build, Build Committee chairperson Anna Mae Lamentillo confirmed that Villar also went into self-quarantine. She did not elaborate.

Diokno, meanwhile, said he has opted to go on self-quarantine after he was possibly exposed to COVID-19 last week.

"I'll go on self-quarantine because I was in the NLEx inspection ceremony with Secretaries Dominguez and Tugade last Thursday and was in a wake with Secretary Dominguez last Saturday," he said in a mobile message.

He was referring to the inspection of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Harbor Link C3-R10 section last week, which was also attended by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Thought it's best to go on self-quarantine to be on the safe side. But I'm well, perfectly well," said Diokno.

“The concerned DepEd officials and personnel will continue to discharge their functions through telecommunication platforms,” it said.

On the other hand, Briones is undergoing self-quarantine following confirmation that an attendee in her two meetings has turned positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Education (DepEd) said the attendee joined the February 28 meeting in DepEd Central Office.

“While Secretary Briones did not have any contact with the confirmed case patient, she is also now on home quarantine as extra precautionary measures,” it said.

Several DepEd officials and personnel also attended the same meetings, but none of them has exhibited symptoms of respiratory illness or diarrhea. They are now in home quarantine as well, the DepEd said.

The Cabinet officials’ move to self-isolation came on the heels of announcements that Dominguez, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs Vince Dizon will also be on self-quarantine after exposure to a person who tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Diokno said the scheduled meeting of the Advisory Council will proceed as scheduled on Friday, March 13, but will be moved to the BSP office in Quezon City.

"MB meeting has been moved to tomorrow to be held in the QC office," he said, as he noted that he will be joining via teleconference.

"Of course, I'm the presiding officer," he said. —with Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News

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