BY MINKA TIANGCO
Vendors from the city of Manila’s 17 public markets will be the first to get tested for the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) once the city’s second molecular laboratory at Sta. Ana Hospital opens next week.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday ordered the city’s health and market officials to prioritize vendors to ensure their safety, as well as their customers.
“Binigyan na natin sila ng mask, binigyan na natin sila ng shield, pero hindi natin alam anong ginawa nila bago pumunta sa palengke at magtinda. Now, we test them. At least we can guarantee the people that all those who are selling inside our market are safe individuals,” he said in a meeting with city government officials.
Domagoso said the officials must schedule a day where vendors of the public markets will undergo simultaneous swab testing for free.
“Matutuwa pa ang vendor, hindi sila gagastos para ma-test, kasi mahirap ang buhay. So, makakatipid na sila, panatag na sila, ‘yung consumer natin, panatag din,” he said.
After this, the Manila mayor said they will proceed to test tricycle, pedicab, and jeepney drivers. (Minka Tiangco)
