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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Metrobank, GT Capital donate ₱18 M to build COVID-19 test laboratory

Metrobank, GT Capital donate ₱18 M to build COVID-19 test laboratory

Published May 21, 2020 12:00 am
By Bernie Cahiles- Magkilat Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings, Inc., through the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI), donated ₱18 million to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for the setting up of an additional molecular laboratory capable of detecting COVID-19 and other contagious diseases. Metrobank logo (Photo courtesy of metrobank.com.ph) In a statement, the company said that the facility situated at the former PRC Headquarters in Port Area Manila is capable of testing 2,000 samples a day, equipped with automated extraction machines and will be accredited by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine- Department of Health to operate during this crisis. PRC recently established this pioneer facility at the PRC Tower in Mandaluyong City. It has two complete testing systems consisting of Automated RNA Extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction machines and over 10,000 testing kits. An additional 10 testing sys¬tems will be set up to augment PRC’s capacity at their National Headquarters, their former Headquarters at the Port Area Manila, and other testing laboratories nationwide. “All hands are on deck against COVID-19. During this critical time, fully equipped facilities spell a big difference in the early diagnosis and treatment of cases,” said MBFI President and GTFI Executive Director Aniceto Sobrepeña.
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