Investigation is ongoing on a swab testing center located in Malate, Manila that has an alleged illegal operation. This stemmed from a report by a concerned citizen.
The Manila Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office (MBPLO) and Manila Police District Special Mayor’s Reaction team (MPD-SMaRT) inspected the said testing center yesterday.
Authorities initially found out that it has no appropriate business permit from the Manila local government.
“Initial investigation revealed that the testing center (Swab Express Ph) was operating online for about three (3) weeks now and the operator/owner is in the process of securing necessary documetary permits for their operation in Manila relative thereto,” the police report stated.
The report added, “upon verification, operator/owner showed a copy of a certification from Kairos Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory purporting that the same was legitimate and duly [authorized] by DOH [Department of Health].”
Some of the pieces of evidence recovered are various medical testing kits, photocopy of license to operate, and two receipts of online payment.
Immediate closure of the said testing center was ordered pending further verification of documents submitted to the DOH.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso warned the public to go only to legitimate testing centers and laboratories to ensure their safety.
“Uuwi ka sa probinsya o pupunta ka sa Maynila, o pupunta ka sa agency, akala mo negative ka ‘yun pala positive ka. At ang masakit huli mo nang nalaman malala na (You go to the province, to Manila or to the agency, confident that you are negative only to find out that you are positive. What’s worse, is when you realize you are in serious condition),” Mayor Domagoso mentioned in his COVID-19 situation report in Manila.
Domagoso added that residents and even non-residents of Manila can avail of their free RT-PCR testing.
The Manila LGU has previously offered free drive-thru COVID-19 testing, and an appointment is only needed with the city health department through the Manila Emergency Operations Center.
–Patrick de Jesus
