In photo: Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Head of Molecular Laboratories and Former DOH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Ubial, PRC Secretary General Elizabeth Zavalla, PRC Chairman, and CEO Sen. Richard Gordon, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, and SM Supermalls SVP for Operations Bien Mateo during ceremonial MOA signing, held at the PRC Logistics and Multipurpose Center in Mandaluyong City.
To make Saliva RT-PCR testing more accessible, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) partners with SM Supermalls (SCMC) as they open drive-thru saliva RT-PCR collection sites in SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia starting February 2, 2021.
A ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement was held the same day, attended by PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard Gordon, PRC Secretary General Elizabeth Zavalla, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, Senior Vice President for Operations Mr. Bien Mateo, and other executives from PRC and SM Supermalls.
“This is all part of SM’s Safe Malling drive where we want to keep all our customers safe, and healthy and provides convenient ways to do so,” SM Supermalls Steven Tan said.
PRC will have its first two collection sites located in SM Megamall, Mega A bus bay at EDSA Mandaluyong, and at the 5 Ecom Open Parking in Mall of Asia, Pasay City. The said locations will only serve as specimen collection sites for the saliva RT-PCR test and these samples will be forwarded to the Red Cross laboratories for testing. Operating hours of the collection sites are from 9 AM to 5 PM.
“Kahit dumating na ang bakuna, importante parin ang pag-tetest para labanan ang COVID-19. kaya gumagawa ang PRC ng paraan upang mapadali at mapabilis ang pag-tetest sa ating mga kababayan. We are heading towards nationwide Saliva RT-PCR testing to help industries and schools open in this new normal,” Chairman Gordon said.
PRC will start to roll out the Saliva RT-PCR testing nationwide as chapters that will serve as saliva sample collecting stations undergo training to ensure the safety of the collecting personnel and the quality of collected samples. This will give more Filipinos easier access to cheaper, faster, and non-invasive tests for COVID-19.
The Saliva RT-PCR test has a 98.11% accuracy rate, is also PCR based which is the gold standard for testing for COVID-19. It has been approved by the Department of Health and went through a thorough study and research of the University of Illinois and the University of the Philippines.
To book a testing appointment, please visit book.redcross1158.com.