Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has placed the entire House of Representatives on a four-day lockdown beginning yesterday in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.
Velasco issued the order Wednesday night, as he instructed House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza to ensure the strict implementation of the lockdown within the chamber’s premises at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City until March 21 for the wellbeing of its members and employees.
“We have decided to place the entire Batasan Complex on a temporary lockdown from March 18 to 21 as a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of House members and employees in view of the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila,” Velasco said.
The House leader also reiterated his appeal to the public to remain vigilant and continue all public health precautions against COVID-19, which has already killed 12,866 out of the 635,698 infections nationwide as of March 17.
Romualdez: Prayers of frontliners
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Wednesday night appealed for a special prayer from the public as “malasakit” (compassion) to medical personnel in the front line of the continued coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) battle and those afflicted by the disease.
At the same time, Romualdez, representative of Leyte’s first district, announced that he was tested positive for COVID-19.
“Let us continue praying for all those who are afflicted with this disease. Please include in your prayers all those who serve in the frontline to deliver the much-needed services to our people. Our compassion for each other and concern for our fellowmen are the keys that will help us get through these difficult times,” Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules, said.
“Today (Wednesday), I received the result of my RT-PCR test showing that I am positive for COVID-19. I am scheduled to undergo a second test tomorrow (Thursday) to rule out a false positive result. I urge everyone who had close contact with me to undergo an RT-PCR test,” said Romualdez, who was awaiting the result of his COVID-19 confirmatory test as of press time Thursday.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to those who are praying for my quick recovery,” he said.
Lopez tests positive
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez disclosed he tested positive to COVID-19 virus after results of his RT-PCR test were released Thursday morning.
“I regret to inform you I tested positive again,” he told reporters in a group chat.
Lopez is asymptomatic and is in isolation right now. He said he would avoid physical meetings while in quarantine although he still intended to continue attending virtual meetings.
He underwent another test to confirm if the first test was accurate.
“I am hoping the first one was false positive. I’ve been wearing a mask, shield and (practicing) social distancing outside home, but I still got hit,” he added.
