Olongapo opens own molecular lab to expand COVID-19 testing

OLONGAPO CITY—The local government on Thursday, Sept. 16, opened its own molecular laboratory that is expected to expand COVID-19 testing in the city and nearby areas, officials said. Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. said the laboratory in Barangay Kalaklan will provide affordable COVID-19 testing, which will allow local health authorities to determine the extent of the virus surge in the city. “People are hesitant to get tested for COVID-19 because they can’t afford it. This facility will address this problem and it will be a great help,” Paulino said during the formal launching of the laboratory. According to Dr. Rodrick Bustamante, city health officer, building the facility was “painstaking,” and it took them a year to complete it after complying with several requirements. Bustamante said the laboratory is an important part of the COVID-19 response since it would be the foundation of the tedious process of testing, tracing, isolating and treating patients.