By Nora Sorino
ILIGAN City ― At last when practically everybody here was losing hope about this molecular testing lab, it was given LTO ― license to operate.
Well, many of us were wrong. And that includes me. Who thought about the outset that the lab story is “ended before it begins.”
The LTO is from October 21 to December 31. Meaning, a provisional one.
But when you get a provisional one, it’s smooth sailing onwards, hopefully.
People here had been restless and or suspicious about the matter. Especially that it was announced October 2020 yet by city hall that said the molecular laboratory will operate early 2021.
It did not. And the LGU was tight-lipped on the matter!
Which had detractors feasting on the matter. Like the city “couldn't cope with medical waste disposal requirement.” Or the other requirements. It didn’t help that other nearby areas in Lanao Norte, Sur, Misamis Occidental, and Oriental had now their own labs. So what's wrong really with this LGU? Have they been sleeping on their jobs during this time of pandemic?
And during the times that some city officials couldn’t help but answer some questions on the matter by some inquisitive media, they were at a loss as to what to say.
Some even suspected that this was the cause why councilor Lamberto Macapagal, the Sangguniang Panlungsod chair of the Committee on Health, did not file for another term for councilor. He is with the “red” team of Mayor Celso G. Regencia, to note. Although Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz is all praises for Macapagal.
And now, Macapagal says the launching of the said laboratory is set for November 3.
So the folks here now won’t have their specimens brought to Cagayan de Oro or to Lanao Norte or Sur and wait several days for the results. So we say, thanks sirs/ ma’ams.
It’s never too late. Better late than never!
