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(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Thursday, 27 August 2026) Typhoon Saudel (2618) Location: 1,660 KM East Northeast of extreme Northern Luzon (23.3°N, 137.7°E) Maximum Sustained Winds: 175 KM/H near the center Gustiness: up to 215 KM/H Movement: West Northwestward at 30 KM/H Tropical Depression Location: 1,330 KM East of Southeastern Luzon (14.1°N, 136.6°E) Maximum Sustained Winds: 55 KM/H near the center Gustiness: up to 70 KM/H Movement: North Northeastward at 10 KM/H Tropical Depression Gaenari (2620) (formerly "Neneng") Location: 520 KM North of Itbayat, Batanes (24.9°N, 119.4°E) Maximum Sustained Winds: 55 KM/H near the center Gustiness: Up to 70 KM/H Movement: West Southwestward at 15 KM/H Localized Thunderstorms affecting Mindanao.


Wednesday, December 16, 2020


PRC RECEIVES ANOTHER GREEN LIGHT FOR ITS MOLECULAR LAB IN PASSI

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) passed again another proficiency test for its molecular laboratory to open soon in Passi, Iloilo.

“This will be our 13th installment nationwide; we only await for the completion of requirements after passing the test last December 14, 2020, in compliance with the Department of Health,” PRC Chairman & CEO Sen. Richard Gordon said.

The newly built molecular laboratory, which will service the entire province of Iloilo and its nearby areas for faster testing, and is equipped with two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines and one ribonucleic acid (RNA) extractor which can process up to 1,000 tests a day.

“The Philippine Red Cross continues to establish more molecular laboratories to support our people with accessible health facilities. With the completion of the Passi molecular laboratory, we pave the way to testing more people and helping to stop the spread of the virus,” the Chairman added.

The PRC recently opened a new molecular laboratory in Surigao. These two new laboratories will further boost the testing capacity for COVID-19, which is currently at 44,000 tests a day.