60 MMDA personnel contract COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — At least 60 employees of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have tested positive for COVID-19, an official announced yesterday.

MMDA general manager Roman Artes said among those infected were traffic enforcers.

Artes said the number of infected MMDA personnel is just a small fraction of the agency’s 8,000-strong workforce.

“Those who have tested positive for the virus are being attended to,” Artes said during the Manila Bay news forum.

He said the operations of the MMDA would continue at 50 percent capacity.

Artes said MMDA personnel work in shifts to ensure the continued delivery of services to the public.

Fifty-four MMDA personnel remain unvaccinated because of pre-existing medical conditions and comorbidities, according to Artes.

Mayor Gatchalian infected

Meanwhile, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian has contracted COVID-19.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Gatchalian said he manifested “very mild symptoms.”

Gatchalian said he would continue his work while undergoing mandatory quarantine in one of the city’s isolation facilities.

He authorized Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad Bora and the city’s management team to run the affairs of the local government while he is recovering.

Gatchalian is the third Metro Manila mayor infected with the virus.

On Sunday, Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco announced that they tested positive for COVID-19. – Ghio Ong