(Screengrab fromPTRI Medical Textile Testing Center Soft Launch's Facebook page) MANILA - Aside from personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers and suppliers, researchers and the private sector are also welcomed to use the PTRI Medical Textile Testing Center (PMTTC), which is expected to be fully operational by April. The PMTTC can also be used by regulatory bodies like the Food and Drugs Administration, according to Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) Director Celia Elumba. While she did not provide specific figures, Elumba said testing fees to be charged in PMTTC are cheaper. "These have been computed to be more than half the price of what it would cost to have the tests conducted by foreign laboratories. Plus, the shipping fees are reduced greatly," she told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday. Elumba added that the test timeline was also reduced, from 4-6 weeks to 2-3 weeks. Testing services will be for face masks, coveralls, gowns, and drapes. Elumb