Gov't eyes 1 million Filipinos tested by Aug. -IATF's Galvez

By August, the Philippines should have already tested one million people, or 1% to 2% of the country's population, as the government continues to procure test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

This figure, Intern-Agency Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Saturday, was the target of the government.

"We are planning to test more or less 1% or 2% ng ating population. Meaning more or less mga one million ang target namin by August. Tuloy-tuloy po ang gagawin nating test," Galvez said at the Laging Handa press briefing.

Galvez said the government targets to purchase 11 million PPEs.

"Sa ngayon more or less mga three million na ang ating nai-distribute, one million ang ating na-procure na P1.8 billion, at saka more or less 'yung tulong ng ating mga private sector at saka LGU's more or less mga two million. So three million na po ang initially na-distribute sa mga frontliners," Galvez said.

"'Yung ating mga test kits saka consumables meron pong dumating na more or less 74,000, by next week i-stablize na po namin ang supply chain. At nakikita natin 'yung mga testing capacity natin mag-i-increase na po," he added.

The government has spent P14.1 billion for the procurement of protective gear, test kits, and medical equipment as part of the country’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Of this amount, P12.1 billion went to the purchase of 6,062,019 personal protective equipment (PPE) sets while P1.6 billion was used to buy nine different types of PCR test kits, according to President Rodrigo Duterte’s report to Congress submitted on Monday. -MDM, GMA News