The Manila City government’s free mass testing operations for the coronavirus are taking an inclusive approach by allowing both Manilans and non-Manilans to avail its services, Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso said on Thursday.
Domagoso made the remark as the city government launched its second walk-in testing center at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC) in Tondo, Manila.
This is a manifestation that Manilans are being “good neighbors” to their neighboring cities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Domagoso said.
“I want you to be proud as a ‘Batang Maynila,’ na kayo ay mabuting kapitbahay. Even if we are tired, even if we are having difficulty, we have the chance to show we can be good neighbors to all,” he said.
Meanwhile, the mayor personally thanked owners and operators of hotels, motels and other accommodations that housed medical frontliners for free without asking for anything in return.
As an expression of gratitude by the Manila City government, Domagoso led the turnover of tax credit certificates worth P100,000 to the lodging business owners.
Under City Ordinance No. 8646, the tax credit may be applied on all forms of local business taxes, regulatory fees and services, including the appropriate surcharge and penalty interests.
“Since day one (of the pandemic), you have lost income. You really suffered severely as an industry.
Manila was the first to come up with an executive order requesting each of you to help our medical frontliners to accommodate them,” Domagoso said in a speech at the City Council session hall.
“Most of you went to us voluntarily, and I am grateful for that. It cost you millions, but you did not ask for a single cent. On behalf of our doctors, nurses, hospital staff who were accommodated in your place of business, we thank you. I cannot thank you enough,” he said.
As the key to containing the spread of COVID-19 is early detection, Domagoso stressed that the city
government will continue finding ways to sustain its mass testing operations across the capital.
Having compassion for others is a good practice, especially during a pandemic, the mayor said, as he promised Manila would continue its testing operations until COVID-19 is eradicated.
“We will keep finding ways to test and trace people for their own families’ sake, as the key is early detection,” Domagoso said.
About 2,100 Manila City residents have already recovered from COVID-19, while 188 have succumbed to the disease.
The mayor stressed that the city government’s approach to the COVID-19 pandemic “has to have an inclusive approach. It has to be confronted universally.”
“Together, the people, the government, will work hand in hand to confront COVID-19. No time to be selfish, we need to care for each other,” he said.
The GABMMC is the second walk-in testing center launched by the Manila City government. The first one was opened at the Ospital ng Sampaloc.
At these centers, blood samples taken from patients will be processed using the COVID-19 serology testing machines from American healthcare firm Abbott.
The machines have an accuracy of 99.6 percent for specificity and 100 percent for sensitivity.
