Amid the need for at least 13 percent of Metro Manila’s population to be tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 in order to contain the spread of the disease more effectively, Senator Dick Gordon commended local government units (LGUs) that are already testing their constituents.
Several LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR) entered into an agreement with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) when the latter opened up COVID-19 testing centers or molecular laboratories. Under the agreement, trained LGU personnel will do the swabbing and the samples will be turned over to the PRC for the testing.
Gordon, PRC chairman and CEO, lauded the mayors for getting their constituents tested.
As of May 3, Mandaluyong City conducted 1,621 tests; Makati City, 1,134; Caloocan City, 921; Pasay City, 832; Las Piñas City, 342; Parañaque City 308; and Navotas City, 76. Quezon City, meanwhile, handed over the P5-million advance payment for the testing.
“Testing is the key.”
“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,” the veteran legislator 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 will be expanded to 20,000, with the opening of another testing center at the Port Area in Manila and four others in Subic, Clark, Batangas and Los Baños over the next few weeks.
“Our aim is to ensure victory over the virus.”
“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,” the seasoned lawmaker concluded.