DAVAO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Health (DOH) in Davao Region have worked together to ensure the implementation of the mandated price range for the COVID-19 testing and testing kits.
The two government agencies issued last 24 November 2020 the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2020-0001, or the Guidelines for the Implementation of Executive Order No. 118 on Regulations of Prices for COVID-19 RT-PCR Testing and Test Kits. This issuance related to the Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing and test kits aims to foster transparency and fairness among all stakeholders. As such, the concerned government offices have to make sure that both the private and public hospitals and laboratories continuously comply with the JAO’s provisions when conducting the required tests to determine COVID-19 infection.
This year, the series of joint monitoring and enforcement activities of DTI and DOH have already covered a total of 13 private and public hospitals and one diagnostic center. These were conducted in the cities of Davao and Panabo both in March and April.
Of the total, nine hospitals were found non-compliant with the mandated price range based on the DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0391, or the Price Range for COVID-19 RT-PCR. According to the said circular, the maximum price for RT-PCR test is P5,000 for private hospitals and laboratories and P3,800 for public health facilities.
DTI-Region 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said the non-compliant hospitals were given a stern warning. They were also advised to lower down their prices and comply with the prescribed price range.
“The first time we visit an establishment or a health facility and a violation has been observed, we immediately issue a warning. If we would still have the same observation during the follow-up monitoring or the next time we visit them, we will already issue a Notice of Violation,” Ambi explained, adding that the erring establishment or hospital may have to face permanent closure if they continue to violate any of the existing laws.
The mandated price range shall be subject to review and change by the DOH and DTI whenever necessary and applicable. Hence, the said agencies will continue to monitor closely the licensed COVID-19 hospitals and testing laboratories in the region to ensure their compliance and to protect consumers consistently from excessive prices. ♦
Date of Release: 17 May 2021