NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is appealing to the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) to divide the swab testing of swab samples to two molecular laboratories in the province for much faster results, lawyer Rayfrando Diaz, provincial administrator, said on Thursday, May 20, 2021.
Diaz said since the second provincial molecular laboratory is already operational in Valladolid, the governor is asking that it will take care of the testing for the local contact tracing, while the lab at Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) will take care of the testing for arriving travelers.
“With that, we could already have more flights because, as of this time, we only have a maximum of two flights,” Diaz said.
He also said at present, the TLJPH is doing about 1,500 tests daily that overwhelms the machines, medical technologists and doctors.
“That’s why this is the strategy of the governor so that we could go back to our normal economic situation. We can open up leisure activities,” Diaz added.
Diaz said the letter appeal of the governor has been with the IATF through Major General Mel Feliciano, the IATF deputy chief implementor.
Diaz earlier said all reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test samples taken in the southern part of Negros Occidental are now directed to use the Valladolid District Hospital instead of the TLJPH in Silay City.
Collection time at the Valladolid District Hospital is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Diaz also said for private individuals, the molecular lab will charge a fee, while contact tracing coming from local government units in the province will be free.
