MANILA, Philippines — Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday flagged the prices of COVID-19 test being charged by some private laboratories at airports, saying the government should look into the matter.
The absence of testing being done by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for the government as a result of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) non-payment of its debt to the humanitarian organization pushed COVID-19 test prices to shoot up, according to Gordon.
“The lack of testing by the Red Cross has opened opportunities for private laboratories…Originally, they would charge them P4,500 now they are charging P10,000 if within 24 hours. If you want it shorter than that, you pay P20,000,” Gordon, who also chairs the PRC, said in an interview with reporters.
The senator said these private laboratories supposedly target returning overseas Filipino workers, dual citizenship holders, as well as foreigners and offer them COVID-19 tests.
“Buti sinabi ng President ‘yung corruption. Siguro dapat tingnan ‘yan dahil biglang nagtaasan doon sa airport ‘yung mga test at marami na ngayong nagte-test doon. Balita ko sa labas ginagawa pero meron silang merong may booth [sa airport],” Gordon said in a separate interview over CNN Philippines.
(It’s good that the President brought up corruption. I think they should also look into the rising prices of COVID-19 tests at airports. What I know is that these tests are conducted outside but are being offered in their booths at the airports.)
During the online interview with reporters, Gordon presented screenshots of several complaints on social media regarding the prices of COVID-19 tests supposedly being offered at the airport.
Courtesy of the Office of Senator Richard Gordon
“Nakikita ninyo inconvenience nitong racket na ito? Nahuhuli sa eroplano, hindi makauwi kaagad, naghihintay sa hotel, gastos,” Gordon said.
(Now you see the inconvenience of this racket? They are not making it to their flights, they cannot go home immediately, they need to stay in hotels, this costs money.)
“Tapos meron silang ladderize type of charging. You’re taking advantage of the misery of other people. That’s a mortal sin,” he added.
(They also have a ladderized type of charging. You’re taking advantage of the misery of other people. That’s a mortal sin.)
Gordon also showed messages sent to him through Viber, informing him of a certain company that processes receipts of COVID-19 tests of arriving passengers.
Courtesy of the Office of Senator Richard Gordon
“Pinadala sa akin, [isang] airport testing company. I am saying this as a senator, because this is possibly, [this] can be investigated,” he said.
(This was sent to me. I am saying this as a senator, because this is possibly, [this] can be investigated.)
On October 16, PRC had to temporarily suspend the conduct of its COVID-19 testing for the government after PhilHealth was not able to immediately settle its debt – which reached over P1 billion – to the humanitarian organization.
On Tuesday, PhilHealth paid half of its remaining balance to PRC.