Philippine Genome Center expansion seen in 2 months

MANILA – The University of the Philippines- Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) can now expand its operations to Visayas and Mindanao and increase bio-surveillance capacity by September or October after the approval of its PHP295.7 million budget.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Friday the budget was downloaded last week and trainings are being conducted.

The required equipment and supplies will be procured next week.

“Pagkatapos noon, hopefully in about one to one and a half months, sana po makapag-umpisa na tayo (Once this is done, hopefully in about one to one and a half months, we can already start),” she said during a virtual briefing.

Vergeire said logistical limitations pose a challenge for regions, especially from Visayas and Mindanao, to send their samples to Manila.

The PCG can process at least 750 samples per week but once the expansions are done, Vergeire said the output will be doubled and the two islands’ weekly capability may reach at least 350 samples each.

Vergeire reminded that whole genome sequencing does not serve as a “point of care intervention” for those with coronavirus disease 2019.

She said local governments do not need to wait for the results before they begin with case management protocols.

“Ang mga kaso ay Covid-19 positive na kaya dapat agaran na noong sila ay na-diagnose na Covid 19 (The cases are already Covid-19 positive so the response should be immediate),” she said.

On Aug. 25, PGC Mindanao posted it is looking for 10 Science Reasearch Associates to join the Covid-19 national bio-surveillance efforts.