THE first local government unit (LGU)-owned molecular laboratory in Negros Occidental and Western Visayas established at Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH), which is a vital facility that can detect Covid-19 infection, has recently marked its first anniversary on June 1, 2021.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Dr. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral, acting chief of hospital, led the celebration along with Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Hospital Operations Department head; former congressman Albee Benitez (AVP) message; Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, Jr.; Dr. Leni G. Months pathologist; Maruja Japzon, chief medical technologist; Dr. Francis Gabriel Relota, and acting chief of clinics and other guests and hospital employees.
Governor Lacson said this pioneering molecular lab is a story about courage and triumph of the human spirit.
"Looking back, what if we did not persevere? How would we be able to test, isolate and treat Covid positive Negrenses, including the incoming travelers on time? Good thing you were, we were, relentless," he said.
He thanked God for his provision, for his enabling power, and for all the people he sent to make this seemingly unattainable goal a year ago, a possibility. We also thank our partners from the private sector who contributed generously to the laboratory.
He recalled that it was in the evening of March 15, 2020, when the province started to close its territorial borders to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the province.
Since the Covid-19 crisis did not come with an instruction manual, the entire world had to cope based on available resources and knowledge. The pandemic has demonstrated that indeed, the world was not prepared.
"Before the creation of this laboratory, our province had to rely on the RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) in Muntinlupa City and the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo for Covid-19 test results, which often took longer to be released. Good thing we had available resources, the Biosafety Lab and Negative pressure and GenExpert Machine donated in 2014 and 2019 by the PBSP (Philippine Business for Social Progress). We had the resources and we had the resolve. Thus, we became among the first LGUs in the country to have our very own molecular laboratory," Governor Lacson said.
Moreover, he prays to God that He may continue to guide and empower us in our efforts to handle and manage this crisis, and in our mission to serve him through his people in Negros Occidental.
"Keep up the outstanding work," the Governor added.