Lacson, Angara to also undergo self-quarantine

Senators Panfilo Lacson and Sonny Angara on Thursday said they will subject themselves to self-quarantine after a resource person who visited the Senate premises last week tested positive for the novel coronavirus. 

"Better safe than sorry for others. Yes, to follow the lead of Sen[ators Sherwin] Gatchalian and [Nancy] Binay," Lacson said.

He added that there is "every reason to be concerned" as the invited resource person interacted with Gatchalian and Binay who announced last night that they, along with their staff, will undergo self-quarantine.

"God knows how many among us had close contact with our two colleagues, and so forth and so on, sharing elevators, lounge and the session hall with them," Lacson said.

The senator expressed dismay over the turn of events in the country. "Sad to say, the developing events have already showed the inadequate response of government in regard to monitoring and containment." 

"Save for the breakthrough of the UP scientists in coming up with an FDA-approved affordable test kits, we have yet to see a concrete, decisive action to address the problem at hand," he added.

Lacson also pushed for case-to-case implementation of lockdowns in "vulnerable areas" like Metro Manila and other urban centers.

For his part, Angara said he will start self-quarantine on Friday despite being "okay physically."

He added that he already sent his staff home since March 9.

Angara said he is not sure whether the country is really prepared for the worst case scenario when hospitals would be overcrowded with infected persons and others would perish without even being administered treatment.

"I’m sad to say that but I hope I’m wrong," he said.

"I think the Philippines should be more proactive and look to the best practices of South Korea where they have tested a large number and measures have proven effective at lowering [the] number of cases," he added.

Senate premises are currently under restricted access while disinfection measures are ongoing. — RSJ, GMA News