Davao de Oro partners with UP-Mindanao, DOST XI to build COVID test lab

DAVAO DE ORO --- Ramping up the efforts to curb the COVID-19 threat, the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro has partnered with the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao, and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) XI for the planned construction of a COVID-19 testing laboratory at the Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital-Montevista (DdOPH).

The ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was recently signed yesterday, June 22, 2020 (Monday), at the PGO Conference Room, Capitol Complex. Under the agreement, PGC UP-Mindanao and DOST XI obliged to capacitate the facility in accordance with the guidelines from the Department of Health (DOH). They are also to provide bio safety and molecular diagnostics training for its future facility personnel.

“We would like to thank everyone for being part of this project and I’m very proud to hold the province as one of our partners who came early in initiating this project. I hope this will be the beginning of a partnership that we’re going to strengthen further,” UP Mindanao Chancellor Larry N. Digal said.

“Kinahanglan jud ta mag establish ug atung kaugalingong testing laboratory aron magsilbi natu kining weapon to fight this unseen enemy because we cannot see them unless we test them, ug dili kita angay mabalaka kay aduna’y plano ang probinsya inubanan sa dakong tabang ug suporta sa atuang partners aron masuta ang risgadong dala sa COVID19,” Governor Tyron Uy in his statement.
To date, the province has eleven cumulative COVID19 cases--eight being current active cases, plus three recoveries.

There are only two accredited COVID-19 testing labs in Mindanao, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City, and Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City. PLGU Davao de Oro aims to operationalize the testing lab by August, with its budget drawn from the Bayanihan Grant to the Provinces.

(Rheafe Hortizano, ID Davao de Oro)

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Going for the Gold - Philippine Madrigal Singers in Davao City

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Organized by National Artist professor Andrea O. Veneracion on 1963, the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers is composed of students, faculty and alumni from the different colleges of UP. Demonstration of their notable musical competence, they were the first choir in the world to win the European Grand Prix for choral singing twice in 1997 and 2007.

This year, the Philippine Madrigal Singers have been already invited to perform during the American Choral Direcors Association, National convention in Dallas and during the America Cantat in Bogota/Columbia. All these coincide with the group's celebration of its 50th year.

I was able to watch and listen the choirs performance already sometime in the 1980s during its world tour while staying in Berlin.

On March 5, the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers are to set to enthrall Davao with their impeccable musicality. With choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, the group is expected to perform sacred songs. the audience will be also captivated with powerful classics, i.e. from Rossini and others.

The second half of the concert will be an aode to Philippine culture with folk songs and others.

Dare not miss this very rare chance to be in audience with music royalty. Catch the Madrigal singers on March 5 at 6 pm at the SM Lanang Premier Atrium in Davao City. For inquiries please call 082 - 285 0943.