Passi City now has a molecular laboratory that can test COVID-19 using Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in partnership with the City Government of Passi held the Inauguration and Blessing of the Molecular Laboratory at its Regional Logistics and Disaster Management Training Center, New Townsite, Barangay Sablogon, Passi City, Iloilo.
PRC Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon led the inauguration together with Iloilo Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr., Mayor Stephen A. Palmares, Vice Mayor Jesry T. Palmares, Fourth District Board Member Rolando Distura, Canadian Red Cross Country Representative Mladen Millicevic and PRC Passi City Chapter Chairman Jinky D. Palmares.
The molecular laboratory can accommodate more or less 1,000 specimens per day and open for everyone not only in Passi City but the entire Province of Iloilo and Panay Island.
“Today marks another history in Passi City as we open this laboratory. This could benefit the municipalities in Central Panay and the nearby provinces,” said Mayor Palmares.
“As the city mayor thank you very much for giving us the chance and opportunity to serve the people,” Palmares added.
The molecular laboratory has already secured the License to Operate (LTO) and is expected to operate within this month. It will use the Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Test.
During his speech, Senator Gordon said that the Molecular Lab may soon start the Saliva-Based Testing.
In Saliva-Based Testing, a millimeter of saliva will be placed inside a sterile bottle and will be submitted to PRC laboratory.
Gordon said the samples will have its own bar code to ensure that they would not be misplaced.
Saliva-Based Testing is cheaper and less invasive as compared to other testing methods.
Meanwhile, apart from the Molecular Laboratory, PRC Passi City Chapter Building and Blood Bank Facility were also inaugurated on the same day.
