By Jhon Aldrin Casinas The Department of Health (DOH) has finally accredited Marikina City's molecular diagnostic laboratory. Marikina COVID-19 Testing Center (Photo via Aldrin Casinas / MANILA BULLETIN) The local government confirmed on Thursday afternoon having received the approval, which came more than a month after the Marikina City government first set up its coronavirus testing facility and made efforts to satisfy the standards required by the Health department. Marikina’s first proposed COVID-19 testing facility, located on the sixth floor of the City Health Office, was rejected by the DOH. The Health department said the facility “needs further enhancement and adhere the existing standards for biosafety and biosecurity” and should be transferred to a separate location. In response, the local government selected a new site for its molecular diagnostic laboratory—a two-storey, free-standing building along Bayan-Bayan Avenue in Barangay Concepcion Uno. Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said the laboratory can test 400 to 500 samples per day using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines procured by the local government for its conduct of mass testing. With the approval of the laboratory, those persons suspected to have contracted the disease are to be tested first, as well as immunocompromised individuals. On April 17, Health Secretary Francisco Duque praised the facility and called it “one of the best laboratories” he had seen. “It is one of the best laboratories I've seen. Mukhang magandang-maganda ang pagkakagawa, maayos ang layout, talagang sinunod ang mga equipment, ang furnishing tastefully executed,” Duque told reporters. (It seems well-constructed, the layout is efficient, the recommended equipment is there, the furnishing is tastefully executed.)