Finally, no more nasopharyngeal swabs or inserting a wooden or plastic stick to the patient’s nose for virus testing as saliva RT-PCR is now available in the country.

On Tuesday, February 2, SM Supermalls has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross to launch drive-through COVID-19 saliva-based testing at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City and SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

A ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement was held and attended by PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard Gordon, PRC Secretary General Elizabeth Zavalla, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, Senior Vice President for Operations Mr. Bien Mateo, and other executives to formally launch the drive-thru saliva RT-PCR collection sites.

For easy access to Metro Manila residents, two more drive-through COVID-19 testing centers have been set up. The facilities are situated at Mega A Bus Bay of SM Megamall and 5 Ecom Open Parking lot within the Mall of Asia grounds.

“This is all part of SM’s Safe Malling drive where we want to keep all our customers safe, healthy and provide convenient ways to do so,” SM Supermalls Steven Tan said.

Operating hours of the collection sites are from 9 AM to 5 PM and all the samples will be forwarded to the Red Cross laboratories for testing.

“Kahit dumating na ang bakuna, importante parin ang pag-tetest para labanan ang COVID-19. kaya gumagawa ang PRC ng paraan upang mapadali at mapabilis ang pag-tetest sa ating mga kababayan. We are heading towards nationwide Saliva RT-PCR testing to help industries and schools open in this new normal,” Chairman Gordon said.

The Saliva RT-PCR testing is indeed way cheaper which costs P2,000 each. It’s a faster and a non-invasive procedure with a 98.11% accuracy rate. Staff and personnel have undergone proper training for the testing. It has been approved by the Department of Health and went through the thorough study and research of the University of Illinois and the University of the Philippines. 

To book an appointment, you must be scheduled online at book.redcross.org.ph. All you need to do is choose your testing center, provide your name and email address, select your date of testing, and take note of the following:

• Fill up the e-CIF Form at c19.redcross.org.ph/public-ecif.
• Bring your confirmation of schedule containing your order details (will be sent to your email).
• Do not eat, drink, gargle, smoke or vape for 30 minutes before the test.
• Do not wear lipstick to the test.
• Bring a valid ID and a pen.
• Wear a mask and a face shield.
• Before submitting the sample, be sure that it is at least 1ml and has no discoloration.
• An official receipt will only be issued upon request.
• Rebooking of appointments will be allowed for valid reasons.

Kudos to SM Supermalls and Philippine Red Cross for a wonderful and ‘additional’ initiative to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.