CebPac lowers RT-PCR test to P2,500

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific on Tuesday announced a P750 reduction in the price of its RT-PCR test with a turnaround time of 24 hours.

In an advisory, Cebu Pacific said its RT-PCR test — in partnership with Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc. (SSDI) — has been lowered to P2,500 from P3,200 previously.

The rate for the test is offered by Safeguard, with facilities in Mandaluyong, Davao, and Bacolod, to Cebu Pacific passengers.

“We are committed to keep not only our flights as affordable as possible, but even our services across the board,” said Vice President Candice Iyog.

Cebu Pacific has also partnered with Health Metrics Inc. which offers RT-PCR testing for P2,500 with a turnaround time of 48 hours and P3,200 for 24 hours.

It also partnered with the Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory (PADLAB) which offers tests with a 24-hour turnaround at P2,899, and the P2,699 for 48 hours.

The carrier noted that unvaccinated passengers and those who have yet to complete the required dosage may still need to secure negative RT-PCR tests upon entry, if their destination’s local government unit requires it.

Commercial air travel to and from Metro Manila was restricted from March 2020 and only resumed in June last year, after the easing of the community quarantine.

Cebu Pacific, along with other carriers Air Asia and Philippine Airlines, earlier appealed for the government to provide P8.6 billion in assistance to the airline industry given losses incurred during the period.

Cebu Air Inc. in May secured some $250 million from the issuance of convertible bonds to private equity investors.

Shares in Cebu Air Inc. are trading up 10 centavos or 0.19% at P53.20 as of 10:59 a.m., versus Monday’s finish of P53.10.—AOL, GMA News