Located at the Isabela Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Complex, the PRC Molecular Laboratory was blessed and inaugurated earlier today, November 19, 2020, led by Senator Richard Gordon, Chair and Executive Officer of the PRC with Gov. Rodito Albano III, Vice Gov. Faustino Dy III, Cong. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, LPGMA partylist representative Allan Ty and local officials of Isabela. The inauguration was also witnessed by Iloilo City lone district representative, Congresswoman Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda, Mr. Robert Kaufman of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo.

Cong. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano and PRC Isabela Chapter Chairman said that the Molecular Laboratory, equipped with two (2) PCR machines and one (1) RNA extractor can process up to 2,000 tests a day in the fight against COVID-19.

“You can get the swabbing in other areas and they can be brought here. Puwede kayong mag-swab sa Abra, sa Quirino at dalhin dito and it can be finished within 24 hours,” Sen. Gordon said. He also said that the PRC will set-up a warehouse facility with payloader and other equipment to service Region 2.

“Matagal ko ng minimithi ito at palakpakan ninyo ang inyong mga leaders at naitabi nila itong lugar na ito para maitayo natin kaagad,” Senator Gordon said. The senator lauded the leadership of Gov. Rodito Albano III and Vice Governor Faustino Dy III. “I’m very proud of them because they create unity in our community. The Dys and Albanos are models of unity, solidarity and teamwork,” he added.

Meanwhile, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo said that the year 2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone especially in Isabela because amidst the fight against COVID-19, the province was hit by Typhoon Ulysses. Rabiya donated one hundred thousand (P100,000.00) pesos cash to the Provincial Government of Isabela for the typhoon victims.

“I’m very much honored to see people working together, people who are willing to give time and effort just to have this fight against COVID-19 virus. And one visible and tangible program that we have is this Philippine Red Cross Molecular Laboratory which is the backbone in order for us to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” Miss Mateo said.

Gov. Rodito Albano III expressed his gratitude to Senator Gordon and Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo. “Sa ngalan po ng Isabela, Ninong Dick, Miss Universe hayaan ninyo kaming magpasalamat. Inspiradong-inspirado po kami sa inyo at makakaasa kayo na ang Isabela ay babangon. Babangon po kami,” the governor said.