Ahong backs antigen test at airport arrivals

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan has assured his support for the move to screen those entering Cebu considering that the city is the gateway to the island of Cebu.

But the mayor has emphasized that the national government should be the one to provide the testing materials.

Aside from this, he said, all local government units in Cebu must have uniform protocol requirements.

“Whatever, unsay ma-desisyonan (by IATF), we the City of Lapu-Lapu, are in favor basta naa lang gyud mo-check on the RT-PCR or antigen test nga naa sa airport kay we are the gateway to Cebu,” the mayor said in a statement.

RT- PCR or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction is a method of detecting the presence of COVID-19 virus in a person’s mouth and nasal cavities.

But so far, the mayor has not received any new directive on this matter.

Currently, the city welcomes domestic travelers without restrictions although safety and health protocols are still being enforced at the airport like frequent hand washing, social distancing, temperature scanning, wearing of facemasks and the wearing of face shields.

Chan added that in case the IATF will order for the screening, the city is willing to test all domestic travelers due to the high incidence of COVID-19 cases here.

Aside from Lapu-Lapu City, domestic travelers going to Cebu Province are not required to undergo RT-PCR testing.

“Sayon ra ba kaayo ang mga palusot, napalusot man gani ‘tong (fake) letter of acceptance kini pa kaha?” the mayor said.

Mao na lang na atoa nga makahangyo gyud ta, either antigen test or RT-PCR test whatever unsay recommendation, from the government, whatever is the stand of the tri-cities and the Province of Cebu,” he said.

In line with this, the mayor reiterated his earlier request for the return of the Lapu-Lapu City booth at the international airport, to assist those visiting the city.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority acting general manager, Atty. Glenn Napuli, and the MCIAA Board have yet to act on the mayor’s request. —GMR (BANAT NEWS)