The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s Task Group RT-PCR has responded and deployed swabbers to various government agencies and offices which were gravely affected by the recent increase of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.

Further, TG RT-PCR swabbers were advised to cover COVID-19 testing undertaken by private laboratories for returning overseas Filipinos with most of the medical staff of said laboratories reportedly being infected with the spreading virus.

TG RT-PCR presently conducts swabbing for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and caters government agencies/offices.

“Hangga’t kaya natin sa PCG, ating tugunan ang panawagan ng ating butihing kalihim, DOTr Secretary Arthur P Tugade, na agarang tulungan ang iba’t-ibang ahensya at ang One-Stop-Shop for the Management of Repatriating Overseas Filipinos (OSS-MROF) na pinamumunuan ni Undersecretary Raul L Del Rosario, na mag-deploy ng rescue swabbers para sa pangangailangan nila at kapanatagan ng loob," PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Leopoldo V Laroya said.

Upon receipt of said instruction, Commander of PCG’s Task Force Bayanihan Returning Overseas Filipinos (TF-BROF) CG Rear Admiral Rolando Lizor N Punzalan Jr immediately directed CG Commander Michael Florencio of TG RT-PCR, to deploy rescue swabbers.

Said Task Group has undertaken 7,194 RT-PCR tests for OFWs and government employees as of 08 January 2022 in response to the crisis.

He further relayed CG Admiral Laroya's reminder for them to strictly observe health protocols and be extra careful during the conduct of the swabbings.