Philippine Red Cross doing its share in COVID-19 tests
MANILA – The Philippine Red Cross is actively assisting the government and other private entities in testing Filipinos for possible COVID-19 infection.
During the virtual forum sponsored by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, PRC Chairman and Senator Ricard J. Gordon said they have already tested 25,443 individuals, most of who were returning contract workers and found at least 516 positive cases.
Asked about the attention given the Maranaos still in makeshift or temporary shelters in Marawi City, Senator Gordon said they have an active chapter attending to the needs of the internally displaced persons since the violent siege three years ago.
“We wanted to build homes for them but the European Union was having some difficulty with the current leadership so I told them to donate instead to the Philippine Red Cross as what they’re used to in recent times,” Mr. Gordon said.
He added he also asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to help them build their laboratory in Zamboanga City in preparation for the influx of undocumented Filipinos from Sabah.
“I already asked DPWH to help us construct our laboratory building in Zamboanga to we could immediately attend to everyone in need of testing,” he added.
Looking forward, Senator Gordon said the Philippines will stand stronger with more molecular laboratories in place after the COVID-19 pandemic. (Melo M. Acuña)
Philippine Red Cross Chair and Senator Richard Gordon. (Screen grab from FOCAP Forum)
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