BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said medical supplies from the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for government COVID-19 testing laboratories in Bacolod City and Silay City arrived yesterday.
The medical supplies were for the molecular testing laboratories of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City and the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, he said.
The supplies consisted of 10,000 extraction kits for Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests, he said.
Provincial consultant Alfredo “Albee” Benitez facilitated the release of the extraction kits from the DOH and the congressman said he facilitated logistical arrangements for their transport from Manila to the province and to the recipient hospitals.
“It’s nothing compared to the efforts of our frontliners, but we need to work together in this fight against COVID,” the congressman said.
Benitez said he received the testing kits yesterday with Negros Occidental Board Member Ryan Gamboa with the help of Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya.
Rep. Benitez also said the COVID-19 mass testing in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental would not have been possible without the cooperation of many people and offices.
“We need to ensure our health system isn’t overwhelmed and we can slow down or break the pathways of transmission to decrease mortality and spread as well as help our valiant frontliners struggling against this pandemic,” he added.
“Hopefully those tested don’t roam while waiting for their results,” he said.*
