PH TRAVEL RT-PCR TEST SUBSIDY FOR QUALIFIED DOMESTIC TOURISTS
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Q1. HOW MUCH IS THE PH TRAVEL RT-PCR TEST SUBSIDY FOR QUALIFIED TOURISTS IN UP-PGH?
A1. The regular price of the RT-PCR Test in UP-PGH is Php 1,800.00. If you are approved for the 50% subsidy, you will only need to pay Php 900.00 (cash payment only) to UP-PGH.
Q2. WHO CAN AVAIL OF THE 50% SUBSIDY FOR THE RT-PCR TEST?
A2. Filipinos and foreigners residing in the Philippines can avail of the 50% subsidy for the RT-PCR Test with leisure tourism as the purpose of domestic travel and with confirmed transportation and accommodation bookings. Chosen travel destinations should only be those declared open to leisure tourists.
Q3. I AM A FOREIGNER LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES. CAN I APPLY FOR THE SUBSIDY AND SUBMIT MY ALIEN CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION CARD AS MY VALID GOVERNMENT-ISSUED ID?
A3. Yes, you can apply for the subsidy. Foreigners living in the Philippines who are residents, with work, long term, student, or other valid visas may avail of the subsidy as long as the purpose of domestic travel is for leisure tourism. You must be able to submit proof/s of your residence in the Philippines upon registration. Submitted requirements will be evaluated by the Screening Committee.
Q4. I AM AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER (OFW) AND I AM REQUIRED TO HAVE A NEGATIVE RT-PCR TEST RESULT BEFORE GOING BACK TO MY WORK ABROAD. CAN I APPLY FOR THE 50% SUBSIDY OF THE RT-PCR TEST?
A4. No, unfortunately, the 50% subsidy for the RT-PCR Test is only intended for domestic travelers with leisure tourism as the purpose of travel. The program does not cover the subsidy of the RT-PCR Test of OFWs returning to their work abroad.
May we refer to you instead this link regarding DOH’s List of Licensed COVID-19 Testing Laboratory in the Philippines where you can also take your RT-PCR Test (Without DOT/TPB subsidy): https://doh.gov.ph/licensed-covid-19-testing-laboratories
Q5. I AM A LOCALLY STRANDED INDIVIDUAL (LSI) AND I AM REQUIRED TO HAVE A NEGATIVE RT-PCR TEST RESULT BEFORE GOING BACK TO MY HOME PROVINCE. CAN I APPLY FOR THE 50% SUBSIDY OF THE RT-PCR TEST?
A5. No, unfortunately, the 50% subsidy for the RT-PCR Test is only intended for domestic travelers with leisure tourism as the purpose of travel. The program does not cover the subsidy of RT-PCR Test of LSIs returning to their home provinces.
May we refer to you instead this link regarding DOH’s List of Licensed COVID-19 Testing Laboratory in the Philippines where you can also take your RT-PCR Test (Without DOT/TPB subsidy): https://doh.gov.ph/licensed-covid-19-testing-laboratories
Q6. I WANT TO AVAIL OF THE 50% SUBSIDY FOR THE RT-PCR TEST. WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS I NEED TO SUBMIT?
A6. You must submit the following documents in the application form:
- Copy of two (2) valid government-issued IDs
- Copy of confirmed hotel booking in a DOT-accredited and open establishment (hotel booking dates should match the travel dates on the transportation tickets)
- Copy of roundtrip transportation tickets, if applicable (airline/bus/ferry tickets)
Q7. WHAT VALID GOVERNMENT-ISSUED IDs CAN I SUBMIT IN MY APPLICATION?
A7. Valid government-issued IDs are the following: Driver’s license, Passport, PRC license, PhilPost ID, UMID, SSS, Voter’s ID, TIN ID, and PhilHealth ID, and Senior Citizen ID.
Q8. HOW MANY QUALIFIED DOMESTIC TOURISTS CAN UP-PGH ACCOMMODATE PER DAY FOR THE SUBSIDIZED RT-PCR SWAB TEST?
A8. UP-PGH can only accommodate 150 qualified domestic tourists per day.
Q9. I AM WILLING TO PAY THE REGULAR PRICE OF PHP1,800 FOR THE RT-PCR TEST. CAN I SET A SCHEDULE FOR TESTING DIRECTLY WITH UP-PGH?
A9. UP-PGH will not entertain walk-in domestic tourists other than those evaluated and endorsed by the TPB who will avail of the 50% subsidy.
Q10. CAN I REGISTER MORE THAN FIVE (5) DAYS BEFORE MY DEPARTURE DATE?
A10. Yes, you may register earlier than the five (5) day period before your departure date. Considering, however, that most open tourism destinations require that the RT-PCR test be taken 72-hours before departure/scheduled travel date, you will be scheduled for swabbing three (3) days before your travel date.
Q11. MY SCHEDULED DEPARTURE DATE FALLS ON A TUESDAY. IS UP-PGH OPEN FOR RT-PCR SWAB TESTING ON SUNDAYS?
A11. We regret to inform you that we cannot accommodate your application since UP-PGH does not conduct RT-PCR swab testing on Sundays. Please apply instead under the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) subsidy.
Q12. IF MULTIPLE TOURISTS ARE INDICATED IN ONE TRANSPORTATION TICKET, WILL EACH TOURIST HAVE TO REGISTER INDIVIDUALLY?
A12. Yes, tourists will have to register individually in the online application form. The approval for the subsidy is on a 1:1 basis and does not automatically correspond to companion/s.
Q13. I AM TRAVELLING WITH MY FAMILY/FRIENDS, CAN WE REGISTER USING ONE EMAIL ADDRESS?
A13. Yes, you may register using one email address upon registration. Kindly make sure that each member will have to register individually in the online application form. The approval for the subsidy is 1:1 based on the name of the applicant and does not automatically correspond to companion/s.
Q14. WHAT IF I SENT MY APPLICATION LESS THAN FIVE (5) DAYS BEFORE MY DEPARTURE DATE. WILL IT BE ACCOMMODATED?
A14. We regret that the existing process cannot accommodate applications that are sent less than five (5) days before the departure date considering the evaluation and scheduling work required to process the request to avail of the subsidy.
Q15. I HAVE SENT MY APPLICATION TO AVAIL OF THE SUBSIDY IN UP-PGH. WHERE CAN I FOLLOW-UP?
A15. You may follow-up on your application by sending an email to [email protected]. If you registered under the PCMC subsidy, kindly send the e-mail follow-up to [email protected].
Q16. MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED TO AVAIL OF THE SUBSIDY. WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT STEP?
A16. Three (3) days before the scheduled departure date, approved applicants will receive an email from UP-PGH with the log-in credentials for the Case Investigative Form (CIF) to be filled up properly and completely. Once the CIF has been submitted, UP-PGH will notify the approved applicant of the schedule for swab testing. Only those who have submitted the CIF online and who have received confirmation of the swab test schedule from UP-PGH will be accommodated. Please wait for the e-mail from UP-PGH three (3) days before the scheduled departure date.
Q17. MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN REJECTED AFTER EVALUATION. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE REASONS OF THE NON-ACCEPTANCE OF MY APPLICATION?
A17. Your application may be rejected if:
- You are not residing in the Philippines and/or were not able to submit proof that you are residing in the Philippines.
- You sent your application less than five (5) days before your departure date.
- Your purpose of domestic travel is not for leisure tourism.
- Your chosen travel destination is not yet declared open for leisure tourists.
- You booked in a non-DOT-accredited accommodation.
- Your accommodation booking confirmation does not bear the name of the accommodation property, date/s of stay, and/or booking confirmation number.
- Your transportation ticket is not roundtrip and/or does not bear the applicant’s name and/or booking reference number.
- Your transportation and accommodation bookings do not reflect the same duration dates.
- You have submitted an identification card not included in the list.
- Your submitted documents are not clear and readable.
Q18. MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN REJECTED AFTER EVALUATION CAN I RE-APPLY TO SUBMIT THE CORRECT AND COMPLETE DOCUMENTS?
A18. Yes, you can re-apply in the online application form as long as you submit the correct and complete documents and meet the required timeline of more than five (5) days for the re-evaluation of your application.
Q19. WHAT IF I AM NOT AVAILABLE ON THE GIVEN SCHEDULE OF SWAB TESTING? CAN I REQUEST FOR A RESCHEDULING?
A19. You can email us at [email protected] for the rescheduling of your swab testing. Please be advised that UP-PGH can only accommodate 150 qualified domestic tourists per day.
Q20. WHEN IS THE EARLIEST DATE THAT I CAN RECEIVE MY RT-PCR SWAB TEST RESULT?
A20. UP-PGH/PCMC shall send the COVID-19 RT-PCR test result directly to you via email within 24 hours from the conduct of the swab test. You may e-mail UP-PGH at [email protected] or PCMC at [email protected] to follow-up on your test results. Please be advised that we do not receive the swab test results from UP-PGH as they are released directly to the patients via email.
Q21. CAN CHILDREN ALSO AVAIL OF THE 50% SUBSIDY FOR THE RT-PCR TEST?
A21. Based on IATF Resolution No. 84 Series 2020 dated November 19, 2020, Section B No. 8, age restrictions for travelers for tourism purposes may be relaxed upon the determination of local government units, and subject to prior consultation with the DOT, DOH, and DILG, and the development of specific guidelines for this purpose. Thus, we shall process and evaluate applications subject to the submission of the complete documents. Valid IDs for children are any of the following: Passport, School ID, and Birth Certificate.
Q22. I BOOKED MY ACCOMMODATION THROUGH AIRBNB. WILL MY APPLICATION BE ACCEPTED TO AVAIL OF THE 50% SUBSIDY?
A22. The Guidelines provide that only bookings made with DOT-accredited accommodation properties are qualified for the RT-PCR subsidy.
Q23. WHERE CAN I SEE THE LIST OF DOT ACCREDITED ESTABLISHMENTS?
A23. Please refer to the link for the official list of DOT-accredited establishments: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ItyEH5HvQ0vyrWH8uIkanEkgdFctyNJRF7TbF0WZQf4/edit#gid=467765749. This link is from the official website of DOT.
Q24. CAN SENIOR CITIZENS APPLY THEIR 20% DISCOUNT IN THE SUBSIDIZED RT-PCR TEST?
A24. Senior Citizens are entitled to a free RT-PCR Test in UP-PGH. Please wait for the email confirmation from TPB on the status of your application.
Q25. I WOULD BE TRAVELING TO EL NIDO, CAN I SCHEDULE MY SWAB TEST A DAY EARLIER?
A25. Destinations such as El Nido and Siargao require a 48 hour RT-PCR test validity from the time of extraction to the time of arrival at the airport. In case you wanted to have it set a day earlier, you have to accomplish and sign a waiver so we can accommodate your request.
Q26. WHERE DO I FOLLOW-UP MY SWAB TEST RESULTS?
A26. You may email UP-PGH at [email protected] or you may send text message to 0918-331-4467 concerning inquiries on CIF and follow-up on your swab result only if there is a delay in the release of the result in time for your scheduled departure. Please be advised that TPB does not receive the swab test results from UP-PGH as they are released directly to the patients via email.
Q27. I HAVE ALREADY AVAILED THE 50% SUBSIDY DURING MY PREVIOUS TRIP AND I HAVE ANOTHER UPCOMING TRIP. CAN I STILL AVAIL OF THE 50% SUBSIDY FOR THE RT-PCR TEST?
A27. Yes, tourists can apply for the subsidy as many times as they want. Please register for your new trip through the online registration form (https://www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel/)
