The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test may be considered the gold standard in diagnosing people with the coronavirus disease but getting such test is apparently not that easy.

Vice President Leni Robredo disclosed Friday that she has received complaints that swab coronavirus tests were not accessible to some communities.

She noted that not all people could get swab tests given the protocols set for those qualified to undergo such diagnostic test.

"I’ve been visiting the communities, and it’s been a common complaint na RT-PCR testing is so inaccessible for them," Robredo said over ANC's Headstart Friday, April 9.

"Nagiging accessible lang siya (It only becomes accessible) if the LGU (local government unit) conducts RT-PCR tests—free RT-PCR tests—for them. Pero we’ve been talking to some of the LGUs, and they said they’re operating under protocols. Halimbawa, kung walang symptoms (For example, if there are no symptoms), they don’t test," she added.

Robredo said her office have received "a lot of appeals" from people who want to get tested for coronavirus. Despite the government's supposed free testing program, she also said some people were compelled to shell out money to get tested using the PCR mode.

"We can’t close our eyes to the fact that it’s not very accessible," she said.

"Kaya iyong mga tao na kailangan ng test na mayroon namang pambayad, nag-a-RT-PCR na lang sila (So people who need to be tested and have money to spare, take the RT-PCR test)—it’s somewhere between mga P3,000 to P6,000, sometimes even more," she added.

As the country faced a staggering increase in coronavirus cases, Robredo earlier made a pitch for intensified targeted testing in communities with high coronavirus transmission to rapidly identify, isolate, and treat cases. Her office has already initiated a mobile antigen testing project to boost efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

President Duterte recently ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to include testing, isolation, and hospitalization of coronavirus patients under its health care coverage. Those staying in tests outside the hospital must also be covered by PhilHealth assistance, the Palace added.

Last week, the Palace asserted that the government continued to offer “free” risk-based coronavirus testing in the country under the universal health care law.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said government, through PhilHealth, shoulders the swab testing cost for medical and economic frontliners, returning overseas Filipino workers, people with the symptoms and those with exposure to the illness.

Roque also said the government prefers to conduct targeted or risk-based testing rather than test all Filipinos in the country. The timing of the test is reportedly crucial to ensure accurate diagnosis.