The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reiterated to returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that the swab testing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is free of charge.
The statement comes amidst the suspension of Philippine Red Cross in conducting free COVID-19 tests due to pending payment amounting to almost PHP1 billion from PhilHealth.
“We want to emphasize that the swab test being conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard at the airport is free. The specimen being brought to government laboratories is also free. The OFWs who are there (airport) need not pay anything,” OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said in a press conference.
Cacdac said that OFWs should not avail the COVID-19 testing for a fee in the airport because OFWs are entitled for free coronavirus tests.
The Labor and Transportation departments are now investigating claims that some private companies are offering swab testing at the cost of Php20,000 in exchange of faster or quicker results.
“As for my understanding, Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Secretary Art Tugade are currently talking to confirm this. We advised our OFWs not to engage the offer at the airport to pay for the test. But the situation is being looked at by Sec. Art Tugade,” Cacdac added.
Some 7,000 repatriated Filipino workers have been brought home to their provinces.
Cacdac added that there are still 5,200 OFWs who are still in hotel quarantine accommodations while waiting for their swab test results.
