Manila needs P2-M daily to sustain free mass COVID-19 testing
MANILA, Philippines — The Manila City government will need around P2 million daily to sustain its free mass testing for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which is offered to both non-residents and residents of the capital city, Mayor Isko Moreno said on Friday.
“If we are going to maximize our (testing) machines because there is a load capacity, at least kakailanganin namin ng P2 million a day and that means to say P60 million a month,” Moreno said when asked how will the city government sustain its free mass testing until a vaccine is discovered.
(If we are going to maximize our (testing) machines because there is a load capacity at least we need P2 million a day and P60 million a month.)
Currently, Manila is operating four COVID-19 testing centers that give free tests to city residents and non-residents. The testing centers use serology machines that collect blood samples from patients to detect for presence of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Moreno said so far the city government has spent about P4 million from its budget and about P9 million sourced from donations to fund Manila’s free mass testings.
