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Nationwide round-up (10/29/20)
Project ARK, a private sector initiative, is ready to conduct COVID-19 tests for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and other overseas Filipinos.
This initiative aims to help address the backlog caused by the Philippine Red Cross temporarily halting services due to outstanding payments from PhilHealth.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated that Project ARK's 11 laboratories can perform 3,000 PCR tests daily.
The Philippine Red Cross has resumed services after receiving partial payment from PhilHealth but warns of further operational disruptions due to accumulated debt.
The RT-PCR test rate at the Philippine Red Cross is P3,500, significantly lower than the P20,000 potentially charged by some private laboratories.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte is expected to issue an order setting a cap on coronavirus testing fees nationwide.
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The government will continue to provide free reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
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The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has resumed its COVID-19 swab testing services at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after receiving partial payment from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
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The Department of Health (DOH) acknowledged that the suspension of Philippine Red Cross (PRC) PhilHealth-funded COVID-19 testing has affected its capacity to detect and report cases.
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The Palace is urging the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to resume COVID-19 testing services that will be charged to PhilHealth, despite the organization's plea for the government to pay its debt in full.
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Senator Richard Gordon is investigating allegations of overpriced COVID-19 tests at airports, with some passengers reportedly charged up to P20,000 for rapid results.
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