By Glazyl Masculino BACOLOD CITY - The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) has certified the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory in Silay City, Negros Occidental to perform independent testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Capitol PIO / MANILA BULLEITN Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson read the certification signed by Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago Jr. during a press briefing at the Provincial Capitol on Tuesday, June 2. The certification said that the hospital shall continue to participate in the Proficiency Testing Program of the RITM, follow the operational guidelines for COVID-19 laboratories, and abide by the highest laboratory quality standards. Lacson said that the provincial government will earmark P100 million for the Infectious Disease Building at the hospital. “We will expand the building, designing it in such a way that if another pandemic occurs, we can close a certain part of the hospital to cater to whatever viral disease,” Lacson said. The governor said that the provincial government will also shoulder the payment for the tests, and that this will be reimbursed by PhilHealth. The laboratory is expected to handle 250 to 300 tests per day, he added. It will be more prudent for our medical technologists to take this first week as part of their proficiency test. We’re not expecting them to maximize the equipment, he said, adding that "we want them to be very comfortable as they increase their speed." Meanwhile, lawyer Rayfrando Diaz II, provincial administrator, said that the provincial government has allocated P50 million for the laboratory. This would include purchase of equipment, supplies, and peripherals. Diaz said that the allocation came from the additional internal revenue allotment of the province.