DOT was considering RT-PCR test deal with PGH to boost domestic tourism.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) was considering to sign an agreement with the UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to secure a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or nasal swab test for each tourist priced at PHP 1,800 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
This, as Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Tuesday said that this aimed to address the prohibitive cost of RT-PCR tests to travelers en route to spurring domestic travel but still in observance of health and safety protocols amid COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview on ANC, Puyat said that they’re looking to tie up with UP-PGH through a government-to-government agreement.
Puyat also said that they’re looking at making travel vouchers, adding that they subsidized half of the PHP 1,800 cost of RT-PCR tests since most of the destinations required a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result 48 to 72 hours before arrival.
Earlier, Puyat appealed for the uniform protocols in local government units (LGU) in terms of regulating tourism destinations.
Puyat said that the DOT already released PHP 10 million of its budget out of Bayanihan 2 to subsidize the RT-PCR test of tourism workers in Boracay in order to ensure safety.
“Sa ganoon po, hindi po mag-aalala ang ating tourism workers and tourists are also assured that the tourism workers who are in close contact with them are COVID-19 free,” Puyat said.
READ ALSO: DOH Releases PCR COVID-19 Test Price Range Starting November 30
The Department of Health (DOH) already set a price range for RT-PCR tests at PHP 3,800 for public facilities and PHP 4,500 to PHP 5,000 for private hospitals and laboratories.
However, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) didn’t revise its RT-PCR COVID 19 test package.
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