‘Roxas RT-PCR lab has excellent performance’

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The RT-PCR laboratory here has excellent performance and accomplishment when it comes to detecting COVID-19 cases.

This was the statement of City Councilor Gary Potato in reaction to the challenge of Capiz provincial administrator Edwin Chinel Monares to a debate on which COVID lab has better performance.

Potato said the laboratory at Hortus Botanicus in Brgy. Milibili did not encounter any problem since it began operating on October 22, 2020.

The lab’s turnaround time in releasing the result is 10 hours, faster than most laboratories.

The councilor said the RT PCR Test Center was realized because of the foresight of local officials led by City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and City Health Office under Dr. Lory Cahilog.

So far, the laboratory has conducted almost 5,000 tests that catered not only to Roxas City residents but from Capiz and other provinces as well.

“I am proud to say nga ang aton Laboratory is performing efficiently and excellently. As of May 22, 2021 naglab-ot na sa 4,916 ang ginpatigayon nga tests, 3,887 ang taga Roxas City, 983 ang residente sang iban nga banwa sa Capiz, kag 96 ang halin sa iban nga probinsya,” Potato added.

He also presented the expenses in the acquisition of the Relocatable Containerized RT-PCR Lab, including the equipment, shipping and setup fees, insurances, and the test kits, consumables, and reagents.

Potato said the acquisition of the machines, including the test kits, helped fight the virus in Western Visayas.

“We, in Western Visayas should help each other. We should do our share to fight this pandemic. Ang RT PCR Laboratory sang Roxas City nakabulig sang daku sa COVID response sang Western Visayas. Wala na kita nagapabug-at pa sa iban kag kita na ang naga test sang kaugalingon naton nga pumuluyo,” Potato added.