ROXAS City – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Capiz approved a P18.1-million fund for the proposed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing laboratory of the province.
The budget is contained in Appropriation Ordinance No. 100 amending Appropriation Ordinance No. 096-2020, entitled “Approving the Supplemental Appropriation in the Provincial Governor’s Office with a total amount of P18,175,950 intended for laboratory reagent/consumables”.
According to Vice Gov. James Magbanua, the fund will be taken from the savings of the provincial government from the 2019 Computerization of Tax Assessment and Collection and the 2020 construction of a multi-purpose covered court in Sitio Proper, Barangay Maninang, Sapian town.
The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test laboratory could materialize in two months, according to the Provincial Health Office and the office Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras.
It will be managed by the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital.
“The laboratory could help hasten the releasing of COVID-19 test results,” said Magbanua.
The vice governor noted that with Western Visayas Medical Center – Sub-National Laboratory alone which is located in Iloilo City, test results take between four to seven days to be released./PN
