SAN Miguel Corp. is donating five sets of testing machines and test kits to help boost capacity and efficiency to mass test for the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“The RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) machines and high-throughput automated RNA (ribonucleic acid) extraction systems the company will donate will allow government to conduct additional 11,000 tests per day,” San Miguel said.
Testing kits will be distributed to the Department of Health to be able to conduct additional 20,000 tests.
San Miguel said its donation will significantly help “boost government capacity to determine extent, and contain transmission, of the virus before quarantine is lifted on May 15.”
San Miguel said the machines arrived Monday via a chartered flight.
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine will get two sets of equipment while the rest will be delivered to San Lazaro Hospital, Vicente Sotto Medical Center in Cebu and Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao.
One set is consists of two RT-PCR equipment and one automated RNA extraction machine that requires less time and human intervention to conduct.
“We are one with the government in wanting to curb the spread of the virus, and with enough capacity to test a greater number of people, we are optimistic we will be able to gradually and safely restart the economy,” said Ramon Ang, San Miguel president.
The company has began preparations for a gradual back-to-work scenario with a wide-ranging plan that includes, among others, testing for its over 30,000 front liners within the organization along with strict regulations on good hygiene, social distancing, mass gatherings.
San Miguel to date has donated P1.147 billion worth of food products, ethyl alcohol, fuel, protective gear, free toll among others, to front liners and hardest hit communities in Luzon and other provinces nationwide.
