The Negros Occidental provincial government is initially allocating P15 million for monkeypox RT-PCR test kits, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Tuesday, August 30.
The provincial government is preparing its molecular laboratory at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City for the conduct of monkeypox tests, he said.
Negros Occidental medical technologists have already been identified for training at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Diaz added.
The Negros Occidental and Bacolod health officials are currently working on joint protocols for handling of monkeypox cases, he said.
Hopefully the protocols will be out soon, Diaz said.
No monkeypox case has been detected in Negros Occidental so far.
ANNUAL BUDGET
Diaz said preparations are also underway for the 2023 annual budget of Negros Occidental.
However, Diaz said he could not divulge the amount set for the annual budget until it is submitted to the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan for review.
They are hoping that with the budget cuts next year, the adverse effects will not be felt by the provincial government offices with the enforcement of more efficient policies, he said.*