The Philippine Red Cross’ saliva reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing services will soon be available in SM Southmall and SM Fairview, as well as in SM Cebu, SM Bacolod and SM Iloilo.
PRC Governor Carissa Coscolluela cited that the SM Supermalls has been “very cooperative” with them, citing that saliva RT-PCR testing services will also be rolled out in other SM branches nationwide.
“Dito sa Metro Manila, nakapag-umpisa tayo sa Megamall, sa Mall of Asia. May iba pa pong location na-identify dito sa Metro Manila na ready na po silang magroll out (Here in Metro Manla, we already started in Megamall, in Mall of Asia. We have identified other location in Metro Manila, they are ready to roll out.),” she said in a radio interview.
She noted that SM Aura, SM North EDSA, and SM San Lazaro have been also identified as possible areas for the roll-out.
Bien Mateo, senior vice president for operations of SM Supermalls, said they are committed to support PRC in expanding its saliva RT-PCR testing services.
“Itutuloy po natin ang ganitong program in coordination with the Philippine Red Cross. if we can expand in other areas na kailangan nyo po, our commitment to support this (We will continue this program in coordination with the Philippine Red Cross. if we can expand in other areas as you needed, our commitment to support this) ,” he said.
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, the PRC formally partnered with SM Supermalls for the drive-thru saliva RT-PCR collection sites in an effort to make such testing services more accessible to the public.
The PRC’s saliva collection units can be found at SM Megamall (Mega A bus bay and EDSA Mandaluyong) and at SM Mall of Asia (5 Ecom Open Parking in Mall of Asia, Pasay City).
Starting Feb. 2, the collection sites are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The PRC said to book a schedule and pay, just click book.redcross1158.com.
As of Sunday, Feb. 7, the PRC has logged around 17, 955 online bookings for the saliva coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) test. The test costs P2,000.