Philippines sets aside P53.2M for UP-developed COVID-19 test kits

The Department of Science and Technology has allotted P53.2 million for the COVID-19 test kits developed by the University of the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has said.

In his report to Congress on Monday, Duterte said the field validation for the detection kits is ongoing and will run until April 1.

From April 4 to 25, there will be a field implementation for the 26,000 tests in the following hospitals:

Philippine General Hospital, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center and the Baguio General Hospital.

The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act 11469) mandated the President to expedite and streamline the accreditation of testing kits and facilitate prompt testing of suspected cases as well as immediate isolation and treatment of COVID-19 patients. -NB, GMA News