The national government, through National Action Plan Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon, on Thursday reported a more than 70-percent increase in the Philippines’ overall daily testing capacity and in actual tests conducted.
In a public briefing, Dizon said daily testing capacity already reached 14,500 in May 10 from just 8,500 in May 2, representing a 70.6-percent increase within a little over a week.
Meanwhile, daily tests conducted already reached 8,700 as of May 10 from the 5,000 tests in May 2. This translates to a 74-percent increase in the number of tests per day.
“Kahit nakikita natin na gumaganda naman ang ating kapasidad at nakikita natin ang mga numero ay malaki na ang itinataas, hindi pa rin tayo masaya sa mga nagiging resulta natin ngayon. Kailangan ay tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang pagtatrabaho at pagtutulak na ma-test talaga natin ang ating mga kababayan,” Dizon said.
“Ang testing ang pinakaimportanteng paraan para malaman natin kung gaano na kalala, at gaano na karami ang na-infect ng COVID-19 sa ating mga komunidad,” he added.
Through the Test, Trace, and Treat strategy, Dizon emphasized that the national government continues to be proactive in ramping up massive testing in the country, with the help of the private sector.
The government targets to achieve a daily testing capacity of up to 30,000 by end of the month.
There are currently 30 accredited testing laboratories, and the government targets to expand this number to 66 nationwide by end of the month.
Dizon also reported that 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and overseas Filipinos have already been swabbed from May 7 to 12 in the quarantine facilities, and the swabbing centers such as the Palacio de Maynila along Roxas Boulevard—one of the four mega swabbing centers set up across Metro Manila.
The other swabbing centers are the Enderun Tent in Taguig City, Mall of Asia arena in Pasay City, and the Philippine Sports Stadium at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.