Through a P10 million donation, Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings support GoNegosyo’s Project ARK to purchase 22,220 antibody rapid test kits for distribution and use of a chosen barangay.
Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings are sustaining efforts to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic through a partnership agreement with GoNegosyo (Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation) in supporting Project ARK (Antibody Rapid Test Kits). Coursed through Metrobank Foundation, the company’s corporate social responsibility arm, and the Ty family’s GT Foundation, P10 million was donated to purchase 22,220 rapid test kits that will be used to identify active COVID-19 cases for further screening and medical management, and to determine recovered COVID-19 patients as potential donors of convalescent plasma for plasma therapy.
Drawing inspiration from the story of Noah’s Ark, the project led by GoNegosyo founder and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion envisions complementing the Department of Health’s efforts to attain “security and protection” amid the health crisis.
To date, more than 160 conglomerates and top businesses have pledged their support for Project ARK which is equivalent to more than a million rapid test kits either for use of companies or donation to communities.
Project ARK is also designed to gather data necessary to assist the DOH, local government units, and businesses in policy making and program administration. This will create a "clearer picture” of the real extent of COVID-19 infections.
The donation is part of the P200 million pledge by Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings Group to fund and support efforts to combat the pandemic and help those in need. The amount was allocated for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to benefit healthcare and security frontliners; support for the production of testing kits through the UP National Institutes of Health; ‘Project Ugnayan’ led by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation; distribution of meals and food packs to underprivileged families; and set-up of a molecular laboratory for the testing of cases through the Philippine Red Cross.