Sen. Richard Gordon lauded the University of the Philippines-Los Baños for opening a molecular laboratory in its campus in Los Banos, Laguna in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
This will enable people in Region 4-A or the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon) to be tested for COVID-19.
“I am very glad that UPLB opened a molecular laboratory because this would mean that more people can now be tested in Laguna and the nearby provinces. Malaking karagdagan ito sa mga testing centers dito sa Calabarzon (This is a boost for testing centers here in Calabarzon),” said Gordon, PRC chairman and chief executive officer.
“I have been pointing to the need to test people so that they can go back to work and won’t have to rely on the government for support,” he said.
The senator noted that Laguna is home to industrial parks, technoparks, various factories, and business establishments.
“Once the employees of these establishments are able to be tested for COVID-19, they can reopen their business again,” he added.
Gordon also said he is confident Laguna would be able to open its doors to tourists soon if more people are tested. He noted the province is known for resorts and other tourist spots.
“And once people working here are tested, they can advertise that the personnel of the resorts and other establishments here have been tested for COVID and you are now welcome to visit,’” he said.
“Kaya nating patunayan sa buong mundo na kayang talunin ng Pilipinas ang (We can prove to the world the Philippines can fight) COVID if everyone will carry the load.”
The PRC earlier this week launched a molecular laboratory in Batangas City. The facility is equipped with four RT-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines that can run a combined total of 4,000 tests a day.