MANILA- The Department of Science and Technology encouraged manufacturers Thursday to adopt the design of the government-approved specimen collection booth that would improve the country's testing capability for the new coronavirus disease.

The design, made by the Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise, can be used for free but fabricators must follow it strictly to adhere to health standards, DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said.

"Kailangan sundin ang specifications kasi 'yung specifications na 'yun ay in-approve ng [Department of Health]," he said in a virtual press briefing.

(The specifications must be followed because these were approved by the Department of Health)

So far, 53 specimen collection booths have been distributed in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon, Dela Peña said.

The DOST aims to distribute an initial 132 specimen collection booths across the country to complement coronavirus testing efforts. The Philippines has 19 coronavirus testing centers nationwide.

• Where can you get tested for COVID-19 in the Philippines?

"The rest are in the process of delivery because these will be transported to the different regions," Dela Peña said.

• Philippines ramps up COVID-19 testing with specimen collection booths

A copy of the specimen collection booth design can be downloaded here.