MANILA - Pharma giant Unilab Inc said it released P665 million for its COVID-19 response effort and the amount could top the P1 billion mark in the coming weeks.

Unilab said it delivered to its partners P317 million in essential medicines and vitamins, P192 million in personal protective equipment sets consist of coveralls, isolation gowns, face shields, N95 and surgical masks, gloves and shoe covers, P45 million in alcohol, hygiene and basic protective kits, P50 million support for COVID-19 test kit development and P11 million worth of ventilators.

It also supported fundraising drives of civil society groups for the marginalized communities with donations worth P50 million, Unilab said.

The Campos Hess-led firm said it would continue to share its resources tor the country's COVID-19 response.

With "husay and malasakit" as its core values, Unilab said it displayed expertise in responding to crisis situations by determining the kind of support appropriate to the vulnerable sector in collaboration with the Department of Health and the country's coronavirus task force.

Over 400 hospitals nationwide have received support from the firm, it said.

Unilab said it partnered with the Department of Science and Technologu (DOST), University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) and other public and private organizations for the possibility of "significant increase" in the country's testing capacity, which is vital in containing the spread of COVID-19.Various private firms in the country have also extended millions in support for the government's fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

As of April 19, the Philippines has a total of 6,259 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 572 recoveries and 409 deaths.