Rep. Yap: New Benguet Covid lab test building funded by my money

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Legislative Caretaker Rep. Eric Go Yap clarified news and social media posts that came out following inauguration of a Covid-19 molecular lab building facility.

      Yap said that he was surprised that the newly constructed building facility was named after him through a tarpaulin displayed during the inauguration.
      He said that he immediately talked to hospital management to remove his name on the building and rename it as the “United Benguet Building.”
      He said the facility was owned by all of the people of Benguet although the construction of the building and facilities and equipment to be used for the Covid-19 testing lab came from his personal funds.
      The newly constructed building facility that will be used as a Covid-19 testing laboratory was inaugurated here in this capital town recently.
      Benguet officials led by Yap and Gov. Melchor Diclas, Dept. of Health-CAR regional director Ruby Constantino and Benguet General Hospital acting chief Dr. Meliarazon Dulay led ribbon cutting and blessing of the BeGH molecular biology laboratory expected to be functional by October.
      The new facility was funded by Yap who vowed to help in improving the testing capacity of the local health facility and ensure that frontliners and the people of Benguet will be tested for Covid-19.
      Yap said he will procurw laboratory equipment such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and automated extraction machines for the laboratory to be a functional COVID-19 molecular laboratory.
      The second floor of the facility will also be used as additional testing facility for the hospital.
In May this year, Yap donated an RT-PCR and an automated extraction machine to the BeGH to be used for COVID-19 testing for the province but due to the lack of facility and personnel to manage the equipment, the machines were loaned to the Baguio Genera Hospital and Medical Center and will be returned back to Benguet once a facility will be completed and ready.
      Yap said the RT-PCR and automated extraction machine   loaned out to the BGHMC will remain with the latter as they have many specimen to test.
      Instead, he said he    will purchase and donate new equipment for the molecular lab of the BeGH.
      Also present during the blessing were DOH-CAR assistant regional director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, La Trinidad mayor Romeo Salda and vice mayor Roderick Awingan. -- PIA