CLARK FREEPORT -- Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corporation has donated P60 million to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to set up Covid-19 testing laboratories in Metro Manila.
The donation was used to purchase four brand new sets of Covid-19 test laboratories. Each test laboratory has two RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) machines, one RNA machine that speeds up the test capability of the laboratory, a medical lab freezer, and a bio-safety cabinet that protects samples from contamination.
“This will further strengthen our government’s efforts in detecting Covid-19 cases so 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, and we are confident that this project can greatly help in having more people tested fast,” Kevin Andrew Tan, chief strategy officer of Megaworld, said.
The new testing laboratories are capable of conducting around 10,000 Covid-19 tests every day. Results of each test sample may be released within three hours.
“We continue to look for more projects and partnerships like this so we can further help government in saving lives and beat the virus,” Tan added.
During the past weeks, Megaworld, along with its subsidiaries, has been distributing food and grocery bags to healthcare and border security front liners around Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
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 to protect the elderly and orphan beneficiaries.
Megaworld Hotels, on the other hand, also distributed shower caps, toiletries like soaps and shampoo, as well as personal protective equipment (PPEs) to various hospitals and local government units around the country.