Sotto bats for free COVID-19 mass testing, says DOH tally doesn't reflect actual number of infections

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday urged the government to use the funds “lying idly” in government coffers to conduct free mass COVID-19 testing.

During the continuation on the Senate probe into the Department of Health’s use of COVID-19 funds, Sotto underscored the need to “explore” the possibility of providing free COVID-19 tests to all Filipinos as he pointed out that the daily tally “does not” reflect the actual numbers of infected people.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, testing czar Vince Dizon, and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. were present in the hybrid hearing.

“While the government is much devoted to COVID-19 vaccines, our COVID-19 testing has been somewhat being neglected. Marami pa rin talagang Pilipino ang hindi nagpapa-test dahil namamahalan sa presyo ng mga COVID-19 test,” he said.

(There are still a lot of Filipinos who don't want to be tested because the COVID-19 tests are expensive.)

“Evidently, the daily tally of cases does not reflect the actual number of people infected with the COVID-19 virus. Corollary to this, the contact tracing, as preventive measure to the further spread of the virus, will come to naught,” he added.

Sotto mentioned testimonies of people whom he talked to, saying some Filipinos prioritize buying food and other necessities than paying for a COVID-19 test.

“Congress has been working hard on the country’s budget to ensure that the needs of our people will be addressed. And it is very disheartening to see that much needed fund is just lying idly and put to waste especially that we are in the middle of a crisis. Maybe these funds could instead be allocated for the free mass testing and help save lives,” the Senate leader said.

Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Richard Gordon, who also chairs the Philippine Red Cross, agreed with Sotto’s suggestion to have free COVID-19 tests.

He said this free COVID-19 testing program should start immediately.  —KBK, GMA News