Project ARK taps more local governments in COVID-19 tests

RAPID RESPONSE Health workers shed their protective gear after administering rapid tests to residents at a public school in Tondo, Manila, under Project ARK, a private sector-led initiative to introduce rapid antibody testing to barangays and companies to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The private sector is hoping that more local governments will avail themselves of its rapid test kits not just for essential workers but also for residents in their barangays to pave the way for the revival of the economy.

In a press conference on Sunday, Joey Concepcion, presidential adviser on entrepreneurship, said the only way to restart the economy during the pandemic would be to test individuals and “balance life and livelihood.”

“It is hard to see what we should balance during this pandemic. Life is more important, of course, but we should not allow our livelihood to be damaged,” he said.

‘Desperation’

Out of “desperation,” almost 140 private companies have joined Project ARK to provide testing for their employees, according to Concepcion. He is one of the pioneers of Project ARK, a private sector-led initiative aimed at introducing rapid antibody testing to companies and barangays to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Concepcion cited the case of Manila, where more than 2,000 individuals underwent mass testing through Project ARK when two of its most populous districts were placed on a 48-hour “hard lockdown.”

A total of 1,409 people were tested in less than 24 hours in Tondo District, where 109 had tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Dr. Minguita Padilla, Project ARK medical team leader, said the test kits could detect two kinds of antibodies: immunoglobulin G (IGG) and immunoglobulin M (IGM).

IGM can be found in patients who are positive for COVID-19. IGG is present in those who previously tested positive but have recovered, which indicates that they could donate blood to the Philippine General Hospital for plasma therapy.

Swab testing

Plasma therapy is used on COVID-19 patients to help them fight the virus and hopefully recover from the disease that has killed at least 607 people and infected 9,223 others in the country.

Those who test positive for the IGM antibody will be brought to accredited facilities for swab testing, said Concepcion as he noted a shortage of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits at the national government level.

Compared with PCR test kits, which can cost up to P3,500 apiece, rapid test kits that Project ARK was able to procure cost only P450 each.

Concepcion said the government “cannot afford another lockdown” and encouraged local governments to use antibody rapid testing kits with the help of the private sector.

“That is the only way. I hope we continue to remain vigilant … Our economy will be shaken if we extend the lockdown again,” he said.

Concepcion added that the economy would have to be opened “so that our employees will earn money, small businesses may continue their work, companies may earn and help the national government through tax revenues.”

The case of Sampaloc Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said essential businesses in the district of Sampaloc were able to successfully resume operations after the hard lockdown due to the city government’s rapid testing, which enabled officials to immediately know who needed to be isolated or treated, and who would be able to go back to work.

Project ARK has been able to reach out to the local governments of Makati, Antipolo, Pasig and Quezon cities, and Batangas province.

“We are very willing to support [local governments). The information we give on how to implement testing, protocols, the patient datasheet that needs to be used—we are willing to give it,’’ said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Project ARK barangay pilot leader.

She asked local governments to submit the test results to Project ARK “so we may forward it to the DOH (Department of Health).”

Concepcion, however, said mass testing at the barangay level would proceed only on a voluntary basis. The local chief executives will have to approach the private sector and ask for their assistance in conducting the tests.

“We will only help the barangays if the mayors want to. We cannot force them to participate,” he said. INQ