The PRC may halt COVID-19 tests anew over PhilHealth debt, according to Senator Gordon.
Senator Richard Gordon on Sunday said that the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) may be forced to suspend COVID-19 testing anew if the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) failed to settle its debt with the PRC.
Gordon, who also served as the chairperson of the Philippine Red Cross, said in an interview on GMA Network’s Dobol B sa News TV that PhilHealth’s debt had reached PHP 762.8 million.
He then hoped that PhilHealth would prevent having the debt swell to PHP 1 billion.
The Philippine Red Cross needed the money to replenish its supplies in order to continue providing COVID-19 testing and other services to the public.
Gordon also said that the Philippine Red Cross continued with COVID-19 testing even during the holidays.
In addition, Gordon said that he had attempted to impart his concerns with government officials — including Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
READ ALSO: Philippine Red Cross Could Face Bankruptcy Over PhilHealth COVID-19 Swab Testing Debt, Says Gordon
Meanwhile, the state health insurer asked the Philippine Red Cross for understanding over the delayed payment of its balance for COVID-19 tests.
According to PhilHealth spokesman Rey Baleña, the state health insurer had to comply with the Commission on Audit’s accounting rules and regulations.
“Humihingi kami ng pang-unawa sa Philippine Red Cross at sa publiko pagdating sa bagay na ito na bagamat may three days deadline, pero alam niyo kailangan talaga isa-isahin namin bawat claim,” Baleña said.
It was last October 2020 when the Philippine Red Cross halted COVID-19 tests chargeable to the state health insurer after the latter failed to settle its outstanding balance amounting to nearly PHP 1 billion.
The Philippine Red Cross had since continued testing after PhilHealth settled half of the outstanding balance.
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