Mayor Binay converts Makati Coliseum as mass testing center

MAYOR Abby Binay has converted the Makati Coliseum into a mass testing center where swab samples are collected and collated from some 6,000 residents between September 2 and 8, focusing on the most exposed and vulnerabale sector – public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and market vendors.

Earlier, Makati City has been chosen as the pilot testing site for Project Ark’s science-based, pooled swab testing method.

“Makati City has taken the first big step toward better, faster and more implementable mass testing for Covid-19. I proudly support this program because this is backed by scientific research. The results of this trial will have a big impact on local governments as well as businesses and countless industries in the years to come,” she said.

At least 500 PUV drivers and market vendors from Comavena, Tablanza, Guadalupe Market, and Poblacion market were swabbed and samples are pooled in batches and tested as a group.

Under the pooled testing method, swab samples of multiple individuals are tested at the same time. If the result is positive, all the individuals in the pool will be tested separately. If the swab test comes back negative, there is no need to test everyone in the batch.

Binay also welcomed representatives from Project Ark and the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team who came to observe the pooled swab testing procedure that included National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Makati City’s designated “Big Brother” and Iloilo Rep. and Project ARK Private Sector Chief Implementer Janette Garin.

The mayor said the results of the pilot pooled swab testing will be shared with other LGUs and the private sector to optimize the availability of Covid-19 test kits and improve how communities handle testing and isolation.