The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) has suspended applications for its subsidized reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the Philippine Children's Medical Center (PCMC) for travelers due to the overwhelming number of registrants.
"The Department of Tourism (DOT) through the TPB wish to inform the public that the processing of registrants and applications for the PH Travel RT-PCR Subsidy with PCMC will be temporarily suspended effective 12:01 a.m of March 5, Friday," the TPB announced.
According to the TPB, the number of approved applications for the subsidized coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test has already reached the allocated slots for the PCMC.
However, those who have registered and applied before March 5 will still be processed, the TPB added.
Tourists who still wish to avail of the subsidy are encouraged to register with the DOT's other partner hospital, the UP-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).
"Please be informed that the UP-PGH can only administer RT-PCR swab tests to 150 TPB-approved and endorsed applicants from Monday to Saturday, excluding holidays," the agency reminded the public.
Under the subsidy, the TPB shoulders 50 percent of the original price charged by UP-PGH and PCMC. This cuts the swab test fee for travelers to P900 and P750, respectively.
To avail, the tourist must register at https://www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel/ five days before the scheduled departure date, submit a copy of a valid government-issued ID, a copy of a confirmed accommodation booking, and proof of transportation ticket for the appropriate mode of travel. Families and groups can also be scheduled together.
Tourists with approved applications will then receive an email from UP-PGH and will be notified of their swab test schedule.
For any queries, the agency urged the public to contact the TPB PCMC Team at telephone number 8525-7320 from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during weekdays, or through at email address phtravel_pcmcigtpb.gov.ph, or the TPB Official Facebook page.