PRC Molecular Laboratory in Batangas is now open

By Lolitz Estrellado July 11, 2020 Some of the equipment that can be found inside the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Molecular Laboratory ...

By Lolitz Estrellado
July 11, 2020

Some of the equipment that can be found inside the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Molecular Laboratory which was inaugurated and formally opened on July 8, 2020, under the leadership of PRC Chairperson and CEO Senator Richard Gordon. The laboratory has the capacity to perform 4,000 tests per day. (Photo from Palakat Batangas City FB Page)

BATANGAS CITY - The Philippine National Red Cross in Batangas officially opened the Molecular Laboratory located in their office in Batangas on July 8, 2020.

PRC Chairperson and CEO Senator Richard Gordon led the inauguration of the facility with four (4) RT-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines that can conduct 4,000 tests per day.





“Ang molecular laboratory na ito ay may pinakamalaking testing capability sa Calabarzon Region. Kaya nitong magserbisyo maging sa kalapit lalawigan tulad ng nasasakop ng MIMAROPA. Ang Batangas ay isa sa mga lalawigan na nakakatuwang tulungan dahilan sa nakikita mo na mismong ang mga tao dito ay maaasahan at masisipag. Ang COVID-19 ay isang kalabang hindi natin nakikita kaya’t dapat sanayin natin ang ating sarili sa paglilinis ng kamay, pagsusuot ng face mask at pinakamahalaga ang pag-practice ng social distancing," Gordon said.

He added that he persevered in finding a way and talking to friends and other donors to set up such facilities, because many people need to be tested because it is the only key to reviving our economy, especially in many economic zones, technology parks and industrial zones in the province of Batangas.





Gordon also stressed the importance of the media's assistance in disseminating information about the molecular laboratory and encouraging the public to undergo testing. He said that if the target numbers in Batangas Province are checked, there are 88 days for Batangas to flatten the curve.

IATF Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon said that the only way to fight COVID-19 is to bring together and work together.





“Napakahalaga ng molecular laboratory na ito dahil isa ito sa kinakailangan habang unti-unting binubuksan ang ating ekonomiya, kung hindi tayo magsasagawa ng mga testings, mas mahihirapan tayong ibalik ang ating ekonomiya," Dizon said.

Governor Hermilando Mandanas, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude for the opening of the facility, which will give the results of the tests faster and more capacity, so that action will be taken more quickly to further combat the spread of COVID 19.

According to Ronald Generoso, the PRC Batangas Administrator, having a molecular laboratory in the province of Batangas is a big deal.

“Mas mabilis nating matutukoy ang mga posibleng carriers ng virus gayundin makakatulong tayo sa ibang mga kalapit rehiyon at lalawigan natin. Nakalikom po ang Red Cross mula sa iba’t-ibang donors sa pamamagitan ni Chair Gordon ng halagang P33M at ito ang inisyal na halaga upang makapagtayo ng ganitong uri ng laboratoryo,” Generoso said.

This is the sixth molecular laboratory opened by the PRC and many more similar facilities are set to be opened in different parts of the country to help fight COVID 19.