FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) led the opening of the Philippine Army Molecular Laboratory here today, July 28, 2020.
In a Ribbon-Cutting and Blessing Ceremony, Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay launched the said facility that will provide quality and accurate health care services related to emerging infectious diseases to Army personnel, military dependents, civilian human resource, and other authorized civilians in the Army. Also in attendance was Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago of the Department of Health (DOH). The facility, which will cater mostly to COVID-19 testing, is currently awaiting accreditation from the DOH in a few weeks.
The laboratory will receive swab samples collected and delivered by the requesting individual or institution before the lab performs the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 testing process. About 90 samples can be accomodated per day.
“We deem it necessary to set up this testing facility so we could preserve our force. With 12,000 Army personnel currently involved in COVID-19 response operations and more committed to security operations, we want to take care of our own so we could focus on accomplishing various critical missions,” said Gapay.