THE local government of Muntinlupa is initially allocating P170 million for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines, announced Mayor Jaime Fresnedi during the recent inauguration of the Molecular Laboratory and the We Heal As One Center Isolation Facility in celebration of the city’s 103rd founding anniversary.
While the national government has a roll-out plan, the local chief executive noted that his administration will be allocating its own budget for the vaccination program to ensure that all local residents will receive the vaccine. He cited, on the other hand, that the newly opened testing hub and isolation facility will augment the local initiatives in curbing the virus.
Located in Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun), the Muntinlupa City Molecular Laboratory is now operational after it received its accreditation from the Department of Health in a bid to strengthen the local testing capacity and Covid-19 response efforts.
Test results here may be released within the day of the collection of swab samples. Real-time polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR swab test performed in this lab costs P3,800 only, per the approved pricing scheme. Admitted indigent patients qualified in OsMun’s No Balance Billing scheme and those with valid Philhealth coverage can avail of the discounted price.
The lab is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Swabbing of out-patient clients is scheduled from Monday to Friday, except on holidays, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. All other in-patient and emergency request are subject to regular specimen collection.
Located in Filinvest Tent Alabang, the newly inaugurated 148-bed We Heal As One Center is the city’s second emergency quarantine facility built by the Department of Public Works and Highways. It will be managed by the Bureau of Fire Protection while the local government will cover its utility charges.
For anyone who has undergone Covid-19 swab testing, Muntinlupa requires a mandatory self-isolation policy, or admission to city isolation facilities, if requirements for home quarantine are not met as certified by the City Health Office.
Fresnedi extended his gratitude to Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade for his assistance in the construction of the Covid-19 facilities in the city, as well as their partners for their donations to help his constituents recover from this crisis.