Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Undersecretary Jojo Garcia on Saturday confirmed he tested positive for the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Garcia said he was informed of his test result on Friday night.

“I wish to inform everyone that I will have to work from home as I have been found positive for COVID-19,” Garcia said in a statement.

“My work puts me under a lot of risk, and this is part of it. I embrace this challenge with full trust and faith in God that I will overcome the same with your prayers,” he said.

Garcia said he cannot identify how he contracted the disease.

“‘Yung huling natatandaan ko na na-expose ako ay March 17 or 18 yata ‘yun,” he said.

“Wala naman ako masyadong nararamdaman, kaunting cough lamang,” he said.

Garcia said he had been experiencing some dry cough but is doing okay.

The general manager, along with other MMDA officials, went on quarantine on March 22 after attending a meeting where a participant later turned out to be a carrier of the virus.

Garcia is the latest government official to contract the virus.

Earlier, three senators, two health officials and several local executives were also tested positive for COVID-19./Stacy Ang