PRC may again halt COVID-19 tests over PhilHealth debt –Gordon

The Philippine Red Cross may again be forced to suspend COVID-19 testing if the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) fails to settle its debt with the PRC, Senator Richard Gordon said Sunday.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Gordon, who also serves as PRC chair, said PhilHealth's debt had reached P762.8 million.

He hoped that the state health insurer would avoid having the debt swell to P1 billion.

"Kaya kailangan maibaba yan, magbayad na kaagad sila ng kalahati. Ibaba na natin within the next several days na mabayaran yan," said the PRC chairman.

"P100 million is liveable. Hindi nakakatakot yun. Pero kung palalakihin natin ng aabot na naman ng P1 billion ay talagang mapipilitan tayong tumigil."

To continue providing COVID-19 testing and other services, the PRC needed the money to replenish its supplies.

He added that even during the holidays, the PRC continued with COVID-19 testing.

"Hindi naman kami gobyerno na pwede kaming mag-print ng pera. Ang importante e talagang mapalitan ang gamit, at mabayaran yung mga sweldo ng mga tao namin," Gordon said.

"Siyempre nag-aalala rin ang mga partners namin dahil nagbibigay sila ng pera sa amin. Pero kung hindi namin ma-collect, bakit sila magbibigay ng pera dahil hindi naman binabayaran ng gobyerno yung binigay na serbisyo ng Red Cross?"

Gordon said he had attempted to impart his concerns with government officials, including Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

The PhilHealth, meanwhile, asked the PRC for understanding over the delayed payment of its balance for COVID-19 tests.

PhilHealth spokesperson Rey Baleña said the state insurer had to comply with the accounting rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit.

“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,” he said.

Last October, the PRC halted COVID-19 tests chargeable to PhilHealth after the latter failed to settle its outstanding balance amounting to nearly P1 billion.

The PRC has since resumed testing after PhilHealth settled half of the balance. — DVM, GMA News