TEST KITS FOR ANTIQUE. Antique allots PHP15 million for the purchase of test kits for use of front-liners. Governor Rhodora Cadiao said on Thursday (April 30, 2020) the provincial health office is now preparing the acquisition of the test kits. (PNA photo by Annabel J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Antique provincial government will purchase PHP15 million worth of test kits for front-liners fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao said the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is now preparing the purchase request (PR) for the test kits.
“The test kits will be given for free,” she said during a media interview Thursday.
She said health workers assigned in the eight district hospitals in the province and for other Antiqueños, including capitol employees, will be a priority in the distribution of the test kits.
“The overseas Filipino workers and sugar migrants who will be arriving in Antique will also be given test kits for rapid detection whether they have Covid-19,” she said.
She added the 18 municipal governments also intend to buy test kits using the Bayanihan Grant from the provincial government.
Meanwhile, Juliana Cepe, Antique Provincial Planning and Development Officer, said the provincial government has PHP65-million Bayanihan Grant.
“The provincial government is giving the 18 municipal governments PHP1 million each out of the Bayanihan Grant,” she said.
She said that towns can use a portion of the PHP1 million to buy test kits for their constituents.
Aside from test kits, Libertad Mayor Mary Jean Te said she will use the grant to buy four to 10 hospital beds, which could also be used for the town’s polyclinic.
Libertad is soon putting up a polyclinic considering that they still do not have a public hospital, she said. (PNA)
