Davao del Norte aims to establish mobile testing facility by June or July

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Davao del Norte provincial government is partnering with various entities to establish a mobile testing facility for COVID-19 patients. 

Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon said the project is supported by the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC), Department of Health (DOH) Region XI, University of the Philippines Mindanao and an unnamed private sector entity.

“We shared our finances on this, hopefully by June or July matapos siya,” the Mayor said in an interview with Sec. Martin Andanar on Thursday, May 21.

He added that they are just waiting for DOH approval. 

Rellon said Tagum City gave P4 million while the cities of Samal and Banabo City gave P3 million each to the project.

“We signed already a memorandum of agreement and ito po ang paghahanda natin kahit matagalan pa, we will be having (a mobile testing facility) dito na mismo sa lungsod that will cater not only to Tagum City but the rest of the LGUs in part of the region (We signed already a memorandum of agreement and this is what we are preparing for even if it will take time, we will be having [a mobile testing facility] in the city that will cater not only to Tagum City but the rest of the LGUs in part of the region).” the Mayor added.

Tagum City has 10 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1 death, and 9 recoveries as of May 21. The city transitioned from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) last May 16.