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Free even for non-residents: Manila ramps up walk-in, drive through virus tests

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Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/07/24/20200718-manila-covid-test-drive-thru-md-11.jpg"/><figcaption>A second drive-thru testing center at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila opens for a soft launch on July 18, 2020, with regular operations starting on July 20, from Monday to Friday. The tests will be free to both Manila and non-Manila residents and shouldered by the city government. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — The coronavirus pandemic is a &quot;universal problem&quot; that should be solved &quot;inclusively&quot;, which is why Manila is offering free tests at walk-in and drive through sites — even for non-residents — Mayor Isko Moreno said Friday. Manila&#x27;s 2 drive-through test centers are located at the Quirino Grandstand and in front of the Bonifacio Shrine. The two walk-in test sites are located beside the Ospital ng Sampaloc and the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center. These facilities make use of a serology test which detects the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in blood samples with the use of a machine. It is more accurate than a rapid test that also detects antibodies and results are released in 24 hours, said Moreno. Those who want to get tested need to bring an ID, he said. &quot;Time is always of the essence in this kind of crisis. So whatever available resources we had, we wanted to do something and share it with our neighboring cities. We will continue to make it available as long as kaya namin (we can), as long as may resources kami (we have resources),&quot; Moreno told ANC. &quot;This is a universal problem, it has to be approached inclusively... Alisin na natin ang mga (let&#x27;s remove) boundaries, go on into one common action, act in unison,&quot; he added. The drive-thru sites have tested some 4,000 people while the walk-in center in just 2 days screened around 2,000 people, said Moreno. &quot;It only proves people will voluntarily submit him or herself to test as long as it is accessible, and as much as possible, affordable or free,&quot; he said. &quot;Kung ganoon ang tema, damdamin ng tao, I think doon tayo pumunta kasi hindi na natin sila hahanapin para ipa-test, kusa na silang pumupunta. Hindi ba mas maganda iyon, hindi ba mas walang away iyon?&quot; (If that is the sentiment of the people, I think we should go there so we won&#x27;t need to search for those should be tested, they will go voluntarily. Isn&#x27;t that better, won&#x27;t that result to less conflict?) &#x27;LOVE BEGETS LOVE&#x27; <figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SFI8Tc72Hps?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>Manila needs at least P2 million a day or around P60 million a month to run the 4 facilities, said Moreno. On Monday, the city government received 2 donations an hour apart worth P9.3 million from non-residents, he said. &quot;Ang suwerte naman namin talagang may tumutulong naman dahil nakikita nila, alam mo iyong principle of love begets love,&quot; said Moreno. (We are lucky because there are people helping us because they see the principle of love begets love.) &quot;Sa mga nakikinig, simula piso, isang milyon, welcome kayong mag-donate,&quot; he added. (To those listening, from a peso to P1 million, you&#x27;re welcome to donate.) Manila&#x27;s mass testing strategy is patterned after that of South Korea and Singapore. The city government is also developing its own washable anti-virus mask like that of Czechoslovakia, said Moreno. &quot;We&#x27;re trying to copy [the] best practices in different countries,&quot; he said.

The coronavirus pandemic is a "universal problem" that should be solved "inclusively", which is why Manila is offering free tests at walk-in and drive through sites — even for non-residents — Mayor Isko Moreno said Friday.

The coronavirus pandemic is a "universal problem" that should be solved "inclusively", which is why Manila is offering free tests at walk-in and drive through sites — even for non-residents — Mayor Isko Moreno said Friday.

Free even for non-residents: Manila ramps up walk-in, drive through virus tests

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Free even for non-residents: Manila ramps up walk-in, drive through virus tests

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 24, 2020 10:15 AM PHT

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Updated Jul 24, 2020 12:08 PM PHT

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