The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) hit one million Saliva RT-PCR tests on November 12, 2021, since its launching last January 25, 2021. PRC Saliva RT-PCR test is the first and only in the country.

Saliva RT-PCR test is a study by the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Campus (UIUC) and the University of the Philippines as an alternative to the Swab RT-PCR test. The saliva RT-PCR test is through the initiative of PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon to bring a faster, cheaper, and non-invasive alternative for the swab RT-PCR test.

PRC also innovates to make the Saliva RT-PCR test accessible to the public through its local chapters and partnerships with Malls such as SM, Robinsons, Araneta City, and Ayala Malls, making it to 124 collection sites nationwide.

PRC also partners with Angkas to make Saliva RT-PCR collection sites to make RT-PCR tests convenient for the clients who want to get tested in the comfort of their homes.

“Testing is the key. Sa pag abot natin nang one million saliva tests conducted, ay patuloy na magtetest ang Philippine Red Cross sa ating mga kababayan. Malapit na magbukas ang mga paaralan, kaya dapat mas ipagtibay natin ang pagtetest at pagbabakuna upang labanan ang COVID-19,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.

PRC is the leading organization with 4.8 million people tested. With the drive-thru collection sites nationwide, Home service saliva collection sites, and the opening of the 14th PRC molecular laboratory in the Philippines, PRC will soon reach the 5 million mark in the following weeks, gearing to be a significant help in the battle against COVID-19.

 “The saliva RT-PCR test with an accuracy of 98.23% remains to be a game-changer for our country. The reduced cost of testing (PHP 1,500), gives way to test more people such as students, employees, factory workers, healthcare workers, and other essential workers. Rest assured that PRC remains committed to its duty of finding ways to test more and keep Filipinos out of harm’s way,” Sen. Gordon said.