MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is pushing for a standard price for the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) swab test for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a statement on Friday, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the RT-PCR test should be made affordable by lowering and standardizing its price so more people can avail themselves of the swab test.
“Mas marami ang mabibigyan ng pagkakataong magpa-swab test kung pare-pareho ang presyo nito sa mga pribado at gobyernong ospital,” Año said.
(Everyone should be given the chance to have a swab test by standardizing its price both in private and government hospitals.)
“Iyan ang isang mabisang paraan para mapigil ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 virus,” he added.
(That’s one of the best options to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus.)
The Department of Health earlier said the cost of RT-PCR tests ranged from P4,000 to P13,000 in public and private molecular laboratories.
Año said this price range is “way above the purchasing power of ordinary Filipinos.”
He noted that instead of taking the test, most Filipinos would rather spend their money to buy food and other necessities and follow the minimum health protocols to prevent contamination.
“Sana, pantay rin ang presyo ng swab tests sa mga pampubliko at pribadong hospital,” he added.
The RT-PCR is the gold standard for COVID-19 testing. While there are cheaper rapid tests in the market, Año said these tests are said to be inconclusive.
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