Molecular labs, testing centers to open in Subic, Clark

MANILA – Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio Dizon said two molecular laboratories and testing centers will be opening in Subic and Clark.

During the Laging Handa public briefing Tuesday, Dizon said the collaboration of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Department of Health, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the private sector targets to ramp up the testing capacity for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

He said the molecular laboratory and testing center in Subic is already finished while the same facility in Clark will be done by Wednesday.

According to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the testing facility in Subic is capable of processing up to 2,000 samples per day.

The mass testing in Subic is expected to start by the first week of May, SBMA added.

“This (is) part of our initiative to build up our testing capacity so that in the next days, we can test more individuals throughout the country,” Dizon said.

Last week, PRC already opened two testing laboratories located in its headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon said the third facility will be opening soon in its old headquarters in Manila.

As of April 27, the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country reached 7,777, with 932 recoveries and 511 recorded deaths.