Cebu Pacific (CEB) has commercially launched its P700 Test Before Boarding (TBB), the lowest rate in the industry so far, for passengers flying from Manila.

The antigen test is taken just hours before the scheduled time of departure, with results released within 30 minutes.

At present, the TBB testing facility at the NAIA Terminal 3 is open for walk-ins from 2AM to 2PM daily.

CEB passengers will only have to register onsite and pay the fee directly to CEB’s diagnostic partner, Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory (PADL).

Earlier, CEB did a successful pilot run of the TBB with the local government of General Santos.

Throughout the pilot run, CEB tested a total of 1,143 passengers, three of whom tested positive and were not allowed to proceed with their flight.

Only those who tested negative were allowed to board the aircraft.

Based on the data provided by the local government of GenSan, CEB passengers were retested after their 7-day quarantine and results were still negative, showing consistency with the earlier results of the TBB process.

Apart from General Santos, the local governments of Butuan, Dipolog, and Pagadian also accept negative antigen test results as a pre-travel requirement.

CEB passengers going to these destinations may also avail of the TBB beginning today (Dec. 18).

To date, a number of local and international destinations require negative RT-PCR test results prior to entry.

CEB covers this need by offering RT-PCR tests for P 3,300 via its three partner laboratories - PADL, Health Metrics, Inc. (HMI), and Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc. (SDDI).

Passengers booked on Cebu Pacific and Cebgo can book appointments via https://bit.ly/CEBFlightReminders.

One simply has to click on the “Testing Options” tab and choose from any of those in the list.

From there, they will be redirected to each laboratory’s page to finalize their schedule online.

Domestic tourists may also avail of a subsidized RT-PCR test at the UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). 50% of the original cost will be subsidized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), leaving only PHP 900 to be paid for by the passenger.

Those who wish to apply for this must register five days before their trip via www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel
Testing is just one out of the three key steps CEB strictly implements to regain passenger confidence.

Other approaches include safety and sanitation, as well as track and trace.