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PAL offers free RT-PCR tests to returning OFWs

Philippines | National

PAL offers free RT-PCR tests to returning OFWs

By Ariel Fernandez

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) has offered all vacationing/returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents flying home from the Middle East from December 21 to 31, 2020, free RT-PCR tests with results released within 24 hours upon arrival.

(JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULELTIN)

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said all land-based OFWs and their dependents coming from Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Riyadh, and Bahrain may now avail themselves of PAL's own One-Stop Shop (OSS) facility for their complimentary RT-PCR tests upon arrival.

The 24-hour turnaround time for the RT-PCR tests leads to a shorter quarantine isolation period of no more than one night, as compared to the 2 to 5 days averaged by other testing centers.

PAL is offering this special holiday privilege exclusively for OFWs and their dependents as a way of thanking the country's modern-day heroes.

The quick release of results will allow the workers to maximize the time they spend with their families during the Christmas and New Year season.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will continue to handle the quarantine hotel accommodations of all arriving OFWs. To avail, passengers on these flights must register to PAL’s electronic Case Investigation Form (eCIF) as early as three (3) days before departure at https://bit.ly/MNLPALeCIF.

The PAL OSS facility at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 is operated under a partnership with DOH-accredited Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics.

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