Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi led the inauguration of the city’s Molecular Laboratory and We Heal As One Center Isolation Facility in Filinvest, Alabang in celebration of Muntinlupa’s 103rd Founding Anniversary on Dec. 19.
National and local government executives and Filinvest officials inspected the Molecular Laboratory in Ospital ng Muntinlupa and the 148-bed Isolation Facility in Filinvest Tent Parking Area last Saturday.
Attending the ceremony were Bureau of Construction director Eric Ayapana, Bureau of Fire Protection Sr. Supt. Jose Edgar Balita, Transportation Usec. Artemio Tuazon, Filinvest Alabang Inc. vice president for townships Don Ubaldo, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, Ospital ng Muntinlupa director Dr. Edwin Dimatatac, and City Heath Officer Dr. Teresa Tuliao.
The Muntinlupa City Molecular Laboratory is now operational after its accreditation from the Department of Health, strengthening the local testing capacity and COVID-19 response efforts.
Test results in the facility may be released within the day of the collection of swab samples. Under the approved pricing scheme, the RT-PCR swab test performed at the Muntinlupa Molecular Laboratory costs P3,800. Indigent admitted patients qualified in OsMun’s No Balance Billing scheme and patients with valid PhilHealth coverage can avail discounted prices.
Swabbing of out-patient clients will be accommodated from Mondays to Fridays, except holiday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. While the molecular laboratory will be open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. All other requests for in-patient and emergency request are subject to regular specimen collection.
Further, the newly inaugurated 148-bed We Heal as One Center in Filinvest Tent Alabang is the city’s second Emergency Quarantine Facility constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The isolation facility is set to be managed by the Bureau of Fire Protection while the local government pledged to fund its utility charges.
Last October, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Transportation Secretary Tugade, and Mayor Fresnedi led the blessing ceremony of the 144-bed Emergency Quarantine Facility in Pacwood Site, Brgy. Tunasan.
The local government of Muntinlupa is implementing 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 (CHO), for anyone who have undergone COVID-19 swab testing.
Fresnedi extended his gratitude to Tugade’s assistance for the construction of the COVID-19 facilities in the city which he noted as an augmentation to local efforts in curbing the virus.
Following the inauguration ceremony, a short event was held in Muntinlupa City Hall Quadrangle to recognize partner companies and individuals who have contributed to the local COVID-19 response and recovery initiatives.
This year’s awardees include ABS CBN Corporation (Lingkod Kapamilya), Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF)–Alabang, Filinvest Corporate City Foundation Inc., National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), San Miguel Foundation, Inc., Sytin Foundation Inc., Insular Foundation, Leonio Group Corporation, Jollibee Food Corporation, New Life Church Alabang, Engr. Rodante C. Corpuz, and Mr. Ben Tiu.
In his message, Mayor Fresnedi extended his thanks to the city’s partners for their generous donations to help Muntinlupeños recover from the challenges of the pandemic.
Further, Fresnedi announced that the local government has initially prepared 170 million pesos budget for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine for Muntinlupa. He noted that while the National Government has a roll-out plan, the city will be allocating its own budget for the vaccination program to ensure all Muntinlupa residents will receive the vaccine.