Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan (File photo)
MANILA – Boracay-bound tourists may soon spend less for the required Covid-19 testing as the Department of Tourism (DOT) leads the implementation of "low-cost" or "free" RT-PCR test for travelers flying to Aklan.
During the Boracay Interagency Task Force (BIATF) meeting on Wednesday night, Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat formally announced DOT's ongoing partnership with the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) to partly subsidize the cost of RT-PCR for domestic tourists.
The present RT-PCR test cost at the UP-PGH is at PHP1,800 per kit, much lower than those charged by most of the testing laboratory centers.
Puyat said the DOT wanted to make this more affordable by subsidizing at least 50 percent of the cost, which will come from its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotion Board (TPB).
“We cannot stress fully enough the importance of showing our seriousness in carrying out our protocols and guidelines. Our local leadership is key in bringing forward our improved image. Furthermore, it is our wish to make more affordable RT-PCR tests to encourage more visits," she said.
The DOT will likewise secure at least 1,500 RT-PCR test kits for the implementation of expanded testing in Boracay Island.
Subject to the BIATF’s evaluation, the DOT said Aklan may transition to the use of rapid antigen tests for the entry of non-Aklanon tourists into Boracay.
The agency, meanwhile, was tasked to facilitate the training of personnel and representatives of the provincial government of Aklan and the municipal government of Malay on case investigation, contact-tracing, referral, and other Covid-19 related operations under the supervision of contact tracing czar, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
Magalong joined the BIATF meeting in Boracay Island, which was chaired by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, and Puyat.
"Now that we have just around six months to go in the BIATF's term, let's make our time count. Let's continue to push for 100 percent compliance with health guidelines and environmental rules and fulfill our mandate to fully restore Boracay as a source of pride, worthy of being recognized as a national asset that contributes significantly to the socio-economic growth of this country," Puyat said. (PNA)
