Megaworld Gives P60M Worth of Covid-19 Test Labs to Philippine Red Cross

John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” As the country races to flatten the curve of Covid-19 cases in the Philippines, businesses like Megaworld relentlessly help the efforts of the government. Aside from disinfectant alcohol, face masks, and food for frontliners and workers, Megaworld donates advanced Covid-19 Test labs to the Philippine Red Cross.

• Related: Megaworld Allocates 1,000 Liters of Alcohol, 5,000 Face Masks for Bacolod

Coveted Covid-19 Test Labs

Due to the recent developments related to the new coronavirus all over the world, Covid-19 test labs are much-coveted everywhere. But they are not cheap, especially the ones that can work efficiently. They cost thousands of dollars!

To answer this need, the Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corporation has donated P60 million to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). The budget was used to set up COVID-19 testing laboratories in Metro Manila.

• Related: Dr. Andrew L. Tan | Honorary Mayor of Bacolod and Adopted Son

4 Sets of Testing Laboratories

The Philippine Red Cross purchased four (4) brand-new sets of COVID-19 test labs.

Each test laboratory is composed of:

• Two (2) RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) machines
• One (1) RNA machine that speeds up the test capability of the laboratory
• One (1) medical lab freezer
• One (1) bio-safety cabinet that protects samples from contamination

“This will further strengthen our government’s efforts in detecting COVID-19 cases in the country. Then we can really get to focus on them and prevent more people from being infected. The Philippine Red Cross has the experience and capability to operate these testing laboratories. So we are confident that this project can greatly help in having more people tested fast.” This was stated by Kevin Andrew L. Tan, chief strategy officer of Megaworld.

Efficiency in Testing

The new testing laboratories are capable of conducting around 10,000 COVID-19 tests every day. Additionally, the results of each test sample may be released within three hours for greater efficiency in testing more people.

“We continue to look for more projects and partnerships like this so we can further help the government. This is integral in saving lives and beat the virus in the country,” adds Tan.

Bayanihan Efforts Continue

During the past weeks, Megaworld and its subsidiaries have been distributing food and grocery bags. There were given to healthcare and border security frontliners around Metro Manila and nearby provinces. They have also been helping in the Project Ugnayan, an effort by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF). Additionally, they have not neglected their own construction workers that were displaced by the lockdown.

• Related: Bayanihan sa Bacolod Movement in Fighting Covid-19

The company also dispatched its Citylink buses to provide free transport to medical personnel to and from hospitals in Metro Manila.

Its socio-civic arm, Megaworld Foundation, also distributed face masks to various foundations. The beneficiaries are the elderly and orphans. On the other hand, Megaworld Hotels also distributed shower caps, toiletries as well as PPEs to various hospitals and LGUs around the country.

• Related: PPE for Negros Occidental Health Workers Against Covid-19

Stay Safe at Home

The call of the government as well as healthcare workers continues for people to stay safe at home. If we don’t need to go out, it is best to stay in home quarantine so as to prevent the spread of the virus.

• Related: Stay At Home – Plead Doctors and Nurses Amid Covid-19

Additionally, wash hands frequently, wear a face mask when going out, practice social distancing, and stay healthy. Keep safe everyone!

Other Megaworld stories on this blog:

Meanwhile, here are other posts about Megaworld in this blog. Just click on any of the links below:

• Megaworld Champions Good Food, Farm to Table, and Fair Trade
• Two Megaworld BPO Office Towers in Bacolod to Boost Industry
• Upper East Mall by Megaworld: Bacolod’s First ‘Green’ Mall
• Two Regis: Premier Bacolod Condominium by Megaworld |The Upper East
• Megaworld Hotels CLUB ACCESS Card: A Powerful Travel Companion
• Megaworld Builds a Bacolod Luxury Boutique Hotel
• MEGAWORLD Rolls Out iTownships
• Megaworld is Reshaping Negros Landscape
• Northill Town Center by Megaworld Will Rise Soon