Swab tests to detect Covid-19 infection for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remain free of charge, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced Saturday, Sept. 10.
This, after the Board of Directors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) approved a resolution in continuing coverage of SARS-Cov-2 (Covid-19 virus) testing for returning OFWs, in accordance with the Interagency Task Force Resolution No.168, series 2002.
According to OWWA, the PhilHealth Advisory No. 2022-0026, signed by PhilHealth Officer-In-charge President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Eli Dino D. Santos on Thursday, Sept. 8, stated that the agency will issue anytime soon a circular order for the specification of guidelines.
“During a special meeting on September 8, 2022, the PhilHealth Board of Directors, convenes and presided by the DOH Officer-In-Charge, approved the continuing coverage of SARS-Cov-2 (Covid-19 virus) testing for returning OFWs,” the advisory read.
The advisory covers all returning OFWs in the effect of the PhilHealth Coverage for Covid-19 testing in all government-accredited laboratories across the country.
The PhilHealth said the government acknowledges the significant role of OFWs in the recovery of the Philippine economy.
“The specific guidelines by way of a PhilHealth Circular will be released soon, with retroactive effect to August 31, 2022,” the advisory added.
For its part, the OWWA National Reintegration Center for OFWs (OWWA-NRCO) hailed the new resolution of PhilHealth, saying this will be a big boost for OFWs to adhere to the government’s program against the dreaded disease.
“This is a welcome development to us, especially to our OFWs complaining of the high prices of RT-PCR and anti-gen testing. On behalf of Administrator Arnelio Ignacio, we thanked PhilHealth for this timely issuance of resolution. Indeed, this is in the service of our migrant workers at all,” Tan told Manila Bulletin.