CABANATUAN CITY – A 32-unit molecular laboratory aimed to step-up the city’s response against the coronavirus disease is expected to be operational by late March or early April this year.
Vice Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara said the construction of the RT-PCR laboratory at MV Gallego Cabanatuan City General Hospital here was officially started by Roche Philippines in December. Per program, it has to be completed in 102 working days.
Vergara said the P23-million locally-funded facility has mechanical, electrical and refrigeration components.
Nueva Ecija 3rd District Rep. Rosanna Vergara said the establishment of the local molecular laboratory was hatched amidst continuous the expanded targeted testing by the city government where people who tested positive in the rapid antibody tests are immediately swabbed.
In coordination with the solon’s office, the city government also conducts testing in various municipalities within the third congressional district.
According to the vice mayor, the LGU extends testing services to residents of adjoining municipalities in the spirit of the Local Government Code’s provision on cooperation among LGUs and protection of both the people of this city and the people who come in and out here for trade, banking, and education purposes.
Meanwhile, the city government invited every resident who wants to get anti-Covid immunization to register.
“Para sa lahat ng mga taga-Cabanatuan na interesado sa bakuna laban sa Covid-19, mangyari pong ipa-rehistro ang inyong impormasyon sa: http://bit.ly/2LwVlH8,” it said in a social media announcement.
The vice mayor said the LGU has enough funds to procure vaccine but it wants to first know more details, including the kinds of vaccines, their efficacy, and prices.