PCG deploys swabbers to government offices

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed swabbers to different government agencies and offices experiencing a shortage of personnel conducting reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR tests.

The PCG said its Task Group sent personnel to help meet the demand for swabbers, who might have been overwhelmed by the soaring COVID-19 cases in the country.

As of Saturday, the Task Group has administered 7,194 RT-PCR tests on overseas Filipino workers and government employees.

PCG commandant Admiral Leopoldo Laroya said they are committed to help other government agencies and provide personnel to the one-stop shop for the management of repatriating overseas Filipinos.

Rear Admiral Rolando Punzalan Jr., commander of the PCG’s Task Force Bayanihan Returning Overseas Filipinos, reminded swabbers to observe health protocols at all times.