1st COVID swab mobile launched in Bacolod

MANILA, Philippines — The first biosafe swab mobile unit in the country was launched in Bacolod City on Thursday.

“The swab mobile is aimed at ensuring the protection of medical frontliners and avoid unnecessary movement of patients. We will test them wherever they are,” Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said. 

The Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BFCCCI) turned over the swab mobile to the city government. 

“This is the first biosafe swab mobile in the Philippines and proudly made in Bacolod City,” Leonardia’s daughter and project coordinator Loren Kara said at the turnover rites at the Bacolod City Government Center. 

Loren Kara initiated the project in partnership with engineer Rane Joseph Saril and his son Pierce Allesandro, who provided the technical expertise. Rommel Carisma was in charge of the engineering drawings.

“This swab mobile can be used for our joint campaign to intervene in the health status of our constituents,” BFCCCI executive vice president Clifford Uy said.

Julius Drilon, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital chief, said the project is in line with the construction of the regional hospital’s bio-laboratory, which is set to operate next month.

A private firm committed to donate another swab mobile next week.

Bacolod City is under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15.

President Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to extend the ECQ in the city to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.