Genome Center eyes inauguration of Visayas, Mindanao labs once protocols are in place

The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) is eyeing to formally inaugurate its satellite facilities in Visayas and Mindanao once these have polished their operations and protocols, an official said Thursday.

“Hopefully, as soon as they have polished their operations and protocol, magkakaroon tayo ng formal inauguration,” PGC Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Saloma said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(Hopefully, as soon as they have polished their operations and protocol, we will have a formal inauguration.)

“At saka makasimula na rin sila ng kanilang reporting doon as part of the Epidemiology Bureau’s reports of local cases based on our genomic biosurveillance,” she added.

(They can also start the reporting of the Epidemiology Bureau’s reports of local cases based on our genomic biosurveillance.)

Saloma said they have already installed the sequencing machines at the facility in the Visayas while the equipment will be installed at the facility in Mindanao by next week.

The plan to enhance the capability of satellite laboratories, according to Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz, executive director of the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health, was part of efforts to expand the country's genome sequencing amid the emergence of new coronavirus variants. —KBK, GMA News