Philippine Red Cross resumes swab testing at NAIA

The Philippine Red Cross resumed its COVID-19 testing services at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, according to Maki Pulido’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday.

However, the service will be charged to the travelers being tested as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has yet to completely pay off its debt.

Overseas Filipino workers are charged P3,500 for the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test, while non-OFWs are charged P4,000.

Rey Nacion, an OFW, insisted on getting tested by PRC despite the cost so he can receive the results immediately as he does not want to wait long in the quarantine facility.

“Para mas mabilis ‘yong results kasi pagod biyahe tapos puyat tapos pagdating dito pila na naman tapos i-quarantine ng matagal. Siyempre, stress po ‘yon sa amin kaya gusto naming malaman ka agad ano resulta,” he said.

The PRC stopped COVID-19 tests chargeable to PhilHealth after October 14 until the state health insurer pays its overdue balance.

PhilHealth owes the PRC over P930 million.

PhilHealth said last Friday that it would pay off its debt to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for COVID-19 tests this week.

However, the state insurer said its payments to the humanitarian organization would be subject to the completeness of billing requirements submitted by the PRC, and in compliance with Commission on Audit (COA) rules.

The PRC conducts 30% of the total COVID-19 tests performed nationwide. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News