Swab test results for returning OFWs may take longer; OWWA asks for patience

DUBAI — Swab test results for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning on or after Oct.15 may take longer as the Philippine government takes measures to address concerns about payments.

This was learned from Hans Leo Cacdac, administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), who announced on his Twitter account that government laboratories have been tapped to process the specimens which can be done “within normal processing times.”

This development, Cacdac explained, came “in light of discussions between the the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) about payment of PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) testing of returning OFWs.”

He said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and the National Task Force (NTF) on COVID-19 “have tapped government laboratories to help in the processing of PCR specimen of OFWs swabbed upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).”

“Such government laboratories undertake to process swabbed specimens within normal processing time. We humbly seek the patience and understanding of our dear OFWs, as we continue to care for them while they await PCR test results in their hotel quarantine facilities,” Cacdac said.

He urged OFWs coming home starting Oct. 15 to register at quarantinecertificate.com to check on the results of their PCR tests.

“PCR test results will be released through this system,” Cacdac said.

The PRC last week announced that it will stop the PCR tests, which were being charged to PhilHealth, over the failure of the government health insurance agency  to settle outstanding balance of over P 1 billion. — RSJ, GMA News