Amid the need for at least 13 percent of Metro Manila’s population to be tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in order to stem the spread of the disease more effectively, Senator Richard Gordon commended local government units (LGUs) that are already conducting tests on their constituents.
Several LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR) entered into an agreement with the Philippine Red Cross when the latter opened up COVID testing centers or molecular laboratories. Under the agreement, trained LGU personnel will do the swabbing and the samples will be turned over to the Red Cross for the testing.
Gordon, PRC chairman and CEO, cited the mayors for getting their constituents tested. As of May 3, Mandaluyong conducted 1,621 tests; Makati, 1,134; Caloocan, 921; Pasay, 832; Las Pinas, 342; Paranaque, 308; and Navotas, 76. Quezon City, meanwhile, handed over the P5-million advance payment.
“Testing is the key and I commend the mayors who are ensuring that their constituents are tested. I call on the LGUs to test more people, because the more people are tested, the faster the enemy will be unmasked,” he said.
The PRC already opened two testing centers that are both equipped with polymerase chain reaction machines that can run up to 8,000 tests a day. The PRC’s testing capacity would expand to 20,000, with the opening of another testing center in Port Area, Manila this week and four others in Subic, Clark, Batangas and Los Banos in the next few weeks.
“Kung maraming magpapa-test, mahihiwalay ‘yung mga positive at malalagay sila sa mga mga ospital o sa mga quarantine centers. Bibigyan ng pagkain ‘yung pamilya nila habang sila’y naka-quarantine at i-momonitor ang status ng kanilang kalusugan. Di na kakalat ‘yan masyado pag nagawa natin yan. Our aim is to ensure victory over the virus,” Gordon stressed./Stacy Ang
