TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug. 20 (PIA) -- A private company called New World Diagnostics (NWD) has granted the governor’s request for a special rate of P1,800 for returning residents as well as inbound tourists to Bohol getting their coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). 

The Department of Health (DOH) has put a cap in the rates of RT-PCR testing: P3,800 and below for public laboratories and P5,000 for private laboratories.

Both private and public laboratories offering RT-PCR can go lower than the cap but not higher.

While Bohol has adopted a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours prior to travel as requirement for returning residents, those availing of the tourist bubble and for Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR), they can get the special rate for the necessary swab test which can be performed in 12 of NWD's branches in Metro Manila and in Davao.

According to NWD, the special rate is open for all passengers bound for Bohol, Boholanos who need the COVID-19 RT-PCR test, and those who need the RT-PCR for domestic and international travel. 

For all passengers bound for Bohol, all they need is a valid ID and an airplane ticket bound for Bohol. 

For Boholanos who simply need the RT-PCR, they would have to present a valid ID and proof of residence in Bohol.

For those needing the RT-PCR for domestic and international travel, they need to present a valid proof of residence in Bohol and an airplane ticket.

At that special rate, Boholanos can get a P1,000 reimbursement by way of cash assistance from the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD) for the cost incurred by returning residents in obtaining their negative RT-PCR, upon presentation of some documents. 

In a letter dated Aug. 9, which the Bohol governor sent to OPSWD head Carmelita Tecson about the reimbursement of the cost incurred by returning residents for their RT-PCR, he cited Republic Act 11494 of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act which details the state policy to reduce the adverse impact of COVID-19 through the provision of assistance. 

The law also provides for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to transfer funds to local government units (LGUs) for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).

In a Memorandum of Agreement which the DSWD and the LGUs signed to detail the collaboration for the efficient and proper emergency subsidy, the agreement talked about outright cash assistance to individuals in difficult situations, as long as these do not exceed P10,000. 

The governor ordered the reimbursement under cash assistance and other support services funds upon the presentation of official receipt of the RT-PCR, Travel Ticket, valid identification card, and proof of residency such as a voter’s ID.

According to the governor, the subsidy can only be availed by the returning residents once. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)