Up to 40 Department of Justice (DOJ) employees tested positive for COVID-19 rapid testing conducted when offices resumed operations after Metro Manila was placed under general community quarantine (GCQ).
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said two security guards and a maintenance staff tested positive in the rapid test. They have been told not to report work and to undergo swab tests.
When confirmed positive, they would be immediately taken to the hospital or other Department of Health (DOH) facility for immediate medical attention.
The DOJ staff continued to undergo rapid tests on Tuesday and Wednesday with the help of the Chinese Medical Center to ensure that all officers and employees are safe from the virus.
Aside from the DOH, the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Court of Tax Appeals are also conducting rapid testing on their employees who have returned to work at GCQ.
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P36.4 million allowances for Manila police released
The Manila City Government is set to release an estimated P36.4 million in funding for the allowance of more than five thousand Manila Police District (MPD) personnel for the first quarter of 2020.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said a total of P36,445,000 of the funds would be distributed to 5,007 MPD personnel who also served as frontliners during the pandemic.
Moreno said the allowance would be given through checks to protect the police and ensure that the amount they receive is in full.
“Tapos na ‘yung araw na alam ko naman, nababalitaan ko sa MPD na pulis sa kapwa pulis natotolongges. Hindi na mangyayari iyon,” said Mayor Isko.
The allowance will cover the months of January through March, while City Hall is also preparing their next benefit from April to June.
Each police officer will receive more than P7,000 for the three months.
In return, the Mayor called on the police to continue serving the people with full honesty and stay away from any kind of illegal activity.
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