PSG disinfects Malacañan Palace as preventive measure vs coronavirus

March 12, 2020

The Presidential Security Group (PSG) conducted on Thursday disinfection and decontamination of the Malacañan Palace as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus disease.

PSG troopers, headed by Lt. Col. Magno Mapalad III of the Presidential Guards and Lt. Col. Nereo Simbahan of PSG Station Hospital, cleaned the Palace.

The disinfection and decontamination of the Philippine seat of power was done after President Rodrigo Duterte decided to undergo a COVID-19 test.

Some of the Cabinet officials who were in Malacanang during the past days have opted to undergo self-quarantine after their exposure to a person who was tested positive for coronavirus.

Among the Cabinet officials who are under self-isolation are Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.

Central Bank Governor Benjamin Diokno also decided to go on quarantine after joining Duterte in the inspection of the NLEX Harbor Link C3-R10 Section project in Caloocan City on March 5.

Also present during the event were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Villar, Dominguez, Tugade, and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go.

A government official who was tested positive for COVID-19 was present during such event.

Diokno said he was also with Dominguez in a wake last Saturday. Celerina Monte/DMS