COVID-19 CRISIS

DILG spox Malaya urges LGUs to include jails in mass testing

Local chief executives should include jail facilities in the conduct of mass testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in their respective localities, the spokesperson for the Department of the Interior and Local Governments said Friday.

In a virtual press briefing, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said inmates who are considered as persons under investigation should also be prioritized in the mass testing for COVID-19.

"I'd like to take this opportunity na to advise our local government units na may area na may jail doon na isama na rin nila 'yung jails in their jurisdiction doon sa ginagawa nating mass testing para matulungan natin ang ating Bureau of Jail Management and Penology," Malaya said.

"Doon po sa ating mga mayors na gumagawa na ng mass testing ngayon, kung may irereport po sa inyo ang jail warden na posibleng PUI, may we request you to prioritize..." he added.

Malaya's call came after the BJMP had disclosed that nine persons deprived of liberty and nine personnel have tested positive for the disease.

The PDLs, all from Quezon City Jail, are now placed under isolation at a quarantine site in Payatas, which can house at least 150 individuals, according to BJMP spokesman Jail Chief Inspector Xavier Solda.

Meanwhile, Solda said the employees infected with COVID-19 are already observing home quarantine.

Solda said personnel from the Department of Health had visited the Quezon City Jail this morning to check on the condition of the inmates and to conduct random sampling among them.

Solda noted that inmates showing symptoms will be prioritized for COVID-19 testing.

"For other jail facilities, hopefully mamaintain nila na negative 'yung jail facilities nila. Ang priority kasi natin talaga, kung wala ka namang sintomas, wala ka namang ipinapakita, prioritize muna natin 'yung mga PDLs na may ganoong kaso," Solda said in the same virtual press briefing.

Meanwhile, the DILG has vowed to assist the BJMP in the efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in jail facilities.

"Hindi po natin pababayaan ang BJMP. We will provide the resources needed para po mas matugunan," Malaya said. — RSJ, GMA News