(With reports from DCR, DSA, GAB)

The ordinance setting the rates for the provincial government-owned containerized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory is set to be pushed for second and third reading in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) regular session today, Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

The information about the status of the ordinance was revealed by Board Member Aldner Damalerio, who is the chairman of the influential Committee on Ways and Means at the SP.

The ordinance will be pushed for second reading for more discussions, he said. The ordinance is now submitted for second reading after a public hearing was conducted on Friday, August 7, 2020.

Based on the public hearing, the rates of the PCR tests processed at the containerized PCR laboratory are set at P4,500 for those who want to get tested. This slso includes foreign nationals who are not Philhealth members. Patients who are Philhealth members and able to comply with the terms and conditions are free as the health insurance agency will be paying the P3,409 rate.

On the other hand, the patients with donated testing kits may pay only P2,077.