DILG spox, other senior officials on self-quarantine after Año tested positive for COVID-19

Senior officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government, including spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, went on self-quarantine after Secretary Eduardo Año tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Malaya said he and other senior officials of the DILG are observing self-quarantine as they had close contact with Año in the previous days.

"Senior officials of the Department who were in close contact with the Secretary, including myself, are now in self-quarantine and will observe symptoms in accordance with DOH (Department of Health) protocols," he said in a press statement Wednesday.

Año announced Tuesday evening that he tested positive for COVID-19.

Despite this, Malaya assured the public that the operation of the DILG would continue.

"We wish to assure the public that the Secretary is fully in charge and that the operations of the entire Department including the interior sector -- the PNP (Philippine National Police), BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection), and the BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) -- will not in any way be affected by this development," he said.

He added Año, despite being on home quarantine, has been in communication with President Rodrigo Duterte, the senior officials of the DILG, and other government agencies under the department.

"The Secretary will harness the newest technology to communicate, give instructions, and will get the job done," Malaya said.

He said the entire agency has joined the nation in praying for the speedy recovery of Año, who is the vice chairman of the national action plan meant to reinforce efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

He also urged the DILG officials to double their efforts in fighting COVID-19 as Luzon enters the third week of the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.

"As frontliners in this war, the public depends on us to be relentless in this battle to ensure their safety and well-being," Malaya said.

"As we gear towards providing the largest direct financial assistance to poor families in the history of our country, the DILG will be there to support our partner agencies and monitor local government units," he added.—AOL, GMA News