MANILA, Philippines — Police have requested the Manila Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office (MPBPLO) to shut down the operations of a COVID-19 testing center along Singalong Street in Malate, Manila that was found operating without necessary permits.
Personnel of the MPBPLO and the Special Mayor’s Reaction Team conducted on Tuesday an inspection of the Swab Express PH that operates online.
“Based on initial report, wala po silang (they don’t have a) permit to act as a laboratory or testing site,” Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said in a live-streamed report on the COVID-19 situation in the city.
Investigation is ongoing, according to the mayor.
According to a police report, “initial investigation revealed that the testing center (Swab Express Ph) was operating online for about three weeks now and the operator/owner is in the process of securing necessary documentary permits for their operation in Manila relative thereto.”
“Upon verification operator/owner showed a copy of a Certification from KAIROS MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC Laboratory purporting that the same was legimate and duly [recognized] by DOH,” the report added.
Police said they are conducting verification of the documents submitted to the Department of Health and have “request[ed] for immediate closure of the purported operation to Manila Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office.”
RELATED STORIES:
Valenzuela orders closure of virus lab for offering swab test sans permit
COVID-19 test center in Angeles City hotel is illegal, says DOH