By: April Therese Tan
The Cebu Provincial government will be giving antigen kits for free to unvaccinated public school teachers.
This developed after a private firm, Limdaqui Trading Inc. has donated a total of 10,000 antigen test kits to the Provincial Government.
“You will be given priority. You will be able to take the antigen test for free,” said Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia told the unvaccinated teachers, a few of them were present during the turnover at the Capitol.
The governor thanked Leslie and Charles Lim for the donation which is a significant help especially for the unvaccinated teachers.
“We are honored to share our products especially on health issues. We are so proud to be part of this program,” Leslie Lim said.
The governor, in a statement posted at Sugbo News Facebook page, has been the voice for unvaccinated individuals especially the teachers, saying such should remain a personal choice that should be respected.
The governor said the rule requiring unvaccinated teachers to present negative a Covid test before they are allowed to enter the school premises is unfair and an added burden to them, which is already tantamount to a penalty.
She pointed out that the money these teachers may have to spend for the test could already be spent for more necessities especially now that prices of basic commodities, including oil, are rising.
DepEd-7 Regional director Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, who was also present, expressed his gratitude to the governor.
He said the donation is an “answered prayer” because the teachers can now have their Covid tests for free.