House situation still controlled, manageable amid COVID-19 cases —Sec. Gen.

The situation at the House of Representatives is still manageable despite an increase in COVID-19 cases, House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said on Wednesday. 

In a virtual interview with reporters, Mendoza said there is no need to place the House of Representatives under lockdown. 

"So far no need naman. Nasabi naman ni Speaker at saka mga members na hindi naman kailangang i-lockdown kasi two weeks na lang din naman tayo," Mendoza said. 

"At the same time, gusto na rin tapusin ni Speaker at ng mga members 'yung mga pending measures sa House bago mag-break. Controlled naman, managed naman 'yung situation sa House kasi considering na 29 cases, that's around two to three percent lang ng population ng House," he added. 

On Tuesday, Mendoza said a total of 29 COVID-19 infections were recorded at the House of Representatives. 

At present, Mendoza said they are waiting for the clearance from doctors of 10 patients, saying that they have already recovered from the disease. 

"Sa 29 cases na 'yun, actually hinihintay na lang namin 'yung final report ng doctor kasi mayroon tayong hinihintay na sampu na na talagang cleared na siya. So kung ma-clear talaga 'yung 10 na 'yun, so total active cases is 19," Mendoza said. 

Mendoza added that all committee hearings would be conducted through videoconferencing to prevent the spread of the virus.

"Pinatigil na rin namin lahat ng activity sa House lalo 'yung every Monday na flag raising, pati committee hearings," he said. (We've stopped all House activities especially flag raising on Mondays and committee hearings.)

He also said the lower chamber of Congress is operating at 30% capacity. 

Some employees are working from home and that working hours were already reduced to help in curbing the spread of COVID-19, Mendoza added.

Vaccination

Meanwhile, Mendoza said more House employees have expressed willingness to avail COVID-19 vaccines, which are free for employees.

The vaccination may occur between May to June.

"So far, madami na ring employees natin ang gustong mag-avail sa vaccine program natin. Tuloy-tuloy din naman 'yung ginagawang info campaign ng House para sa vaccination program natin. As of kahapon, around 86, 87% ng House employees are willing to avail of vaccination program," he said.

(So far, more employees have signified intentions of availing our vaccination program. Our information campaign is ongoing with regards to our vaccination program. As of yesterday, around 86%-87% of House employees said they are willing to avail of the vaccination program.)

Mendoza, meanwhile, said lawmakers need to pay for their vaccines.

The Senate meanwhile will remain on lockdown this week amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday. —KG/RSJ, GMA News