Megaworld donates P60M to Philippine Red Cross for setting up of test labs

Andrew Tan-led property developer Megaworld Corp. said Tuesday it has donated P60 million to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to set up coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing laboratories in Metro Manila.

The donation was used to purchase four brand-new sets of COVID-19 test laboratories, Megaworld said.

Each test laboratory has two reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines, one RNA machine that speeds up the test capability of the laboratory, a medical lab freezer, and a bio-safety cabinet that protects samples from contamination.

“This will further strengthen our government’s efforts in detecting COVID-19 cases so we can really get to focus on them and prevent more people from being infected. The Philippine Red Cross has the experience and capability to operate these testing laboratories, and we are confident that this project can greatly help in having more people tested fast,” Kevin Tan, chief strategy officer of Megaworld, said.

The new testing laboratories are capable of conducting around 10,000 COVID-19 tests every day.

Results of each test sample may be released within three hours.

“We continue to look for more projects and partnerships like this so we can further help government in saving lives and beat the virus,” Tan said.

During the past weeks, Megaworld said the company and its subsidiaries have been distributing food and grocery bags to healthcare and border security frontliners around Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The company also dispatched its Citylink buses to provide free transport to medical personnel to and from hospitals in Metro Manila.

Its socio-civic arm, Megaworld Foundation, has also distributed face mask to various foundations to protect the elderly and orphan beneficiaries.

Megaworld Hotels, on the other hand, also distributed shower caps, toiletries like soaps and shampoo, as well as personal protective equipment (PPEs) to various hospitals and local government units around the country. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA News