The molecular laboratory, situated in Brgy. San Pedro in Molo district, is a level 2 biosafety facility with molecular testing machines and equipment.

According to the PIO report, the facility has been accredited by the Department of Health (DOH) and recognized by the agency's Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), garnering 100% quality assurance rating.

With the new laboratory and its floor area, Uswag Molecular Laboratory head Annabelle Rosario Blancaflor said it is one of the largest laboratories in the whole Philippines.

Initially, the facility focuses on COVID-19 testing, but the same equipment can also be used to test for other diseases and ailments.

Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT), and screening for diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the press report said.

The construction of the clinical laboratory which is set to commence in the first quarter of 2023 is a part of the city’s initiatives to function in conjunction with the centerpiece in providing adequate healthcare services to the llonggo community.

Treñas and Blancaflor were joined by Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, city councilors, City Health Officer-in-charge Dr. Anabelle Tang, and DOH officials during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (JBG/Iloilo City PIO/laf/PIA6-Iloilo/Photos courtesy of PIO)