Ayala helps boost QC COVID-19 testing capacity

“We have not seen a problem of such proportions as COVID-19. Hence, our response needs to be equally massive. We can do this by working together – the private sector and the public sector – leveraging our unique resources and combining our strengths. We can collectively scale our response and multiply our results,” said Ayala Corporation President and COO, Fernando Zobel de Ayala in a virtual turnover ceremony where P4.5-M worth of testing kits and other medical supplies from the Ayala group were formally handed over to the local government of Quezon City. City Mayor Joy Belmonte was on hand to receive the donation that will help augment the city’s mass testing efforts. File photo Ayala

MANILA, February 16, 2021– The testing capacity of the country’s biggest city gets a boost as Ayala Group of Companies donates testing kits and other medical supplies via Ayala Foundation.

In a virtual turnover ceremony today, Mayor Joy Belmonte received P4.5-M worth of supplies that would further expand the city’s mass testing efforts. Partners in this effort are Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation, Inc., who led the Pooled PCR Testing Program with QC LGU; and Assurance Controls Technologies Co., Inc., who assured the efficient supply of needed test materials and consumables to the accredited laboratories for the Pooled PCR testing.

“We appreciate the support that we have been receiving from many stakeholders, including the private sector who have been truly supportive and helpful throughout this ordeal,” Belmonte said. “The Ayala group is not just among the top corporate icons in the country but is also one of the leading private organizations leading the COVID-19 response in our country. And Quezon City is blessed to have received your generosity and kindness.”

Last September 2020, the Ayala group, through Ayala Foundation, Inc., also donated a Bio Rad PCR machine to capacitate QC’s first molecular laboratory, which passed the Department of Health’s proficiency test last October 13.

The Quezon City Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory obtained a perfect score after it obtained accurate results from five samples, as verified by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

“About 4 months ago, on September 18, we met with you, Mayor Joy, and your team to turn over our donation of a Bio Rad PCR machine for the newly constructed Quezon City Bio-Molecular Laboratory. At that time, our country badly needed to increase its testing, treatment, and tracing capacity,” said Ayala Corporation President and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

“So we built facilities and procured equipment. And, while we have made significant progress since then, the need remains for continuous testing, treating, and tracing; the need remains for replenishment test kits and medical supplies.”

According to the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, QC reported 29,558 total COVID-19 cases as of January 21; 27,620 of these patients have already recovered. Such high recovery rate can be attributed to the city’s testing, tracing, and treatment efforts.

The Ayala group has been actively helping boost the COVID-19 testing capacities of different LGUs. In partnership with the City of Manila, Ayala constructed a new molecular laboratory inside Sta. Ana Hospital, enabling the city to offer free serology testing to barangays and frontline workers.

Ayala also donated automated RNA Extraction machine and 2 RT-PCR machines to Davao City’s Southern Philippines Medical Center, thereby increasing the city’s daily testing capacity by 1,000 tests.