ILOILO City – Local chief executives in Western Visayas is open to the possibility of making saliva-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing an option for travel requirement should the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (LCEs) recommend such.
“Basta magsiling ang DOH nga pwede na, yes kita,” said Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The governor sees this alternative as cheaper and more convenient, especially if available in airports.
In the meantime, here are requirements for returning residents:
* approved S-Pass (Safe, Swift & Smart Passage) – S-Pass is an online system which can be accessed through https:// s-pass.ph
* negative result of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test not earlier than 72 hours before travel
* notice of acceptance/coordination from barangay/municipality of travel destination (can be secured through the municipal S-Pass focal person)
* valid government issued identification
Meanwhile, for Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs):
* approved S-Pass (Safe, Swift & Smart Passage)
* RT-PCR negative result not earlier than 72 hours before travel
* travel order/ itinerary of travel/mission order/certificate of employment
* notice of acceptance/coordination from barangay/municipality of travel destination (can be secured through the municipal S-Pass Focal Person)
* valid government issued identification
The Philippine Red Cross said the saliva COVID-19 test costs P2,000 while the nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR test costs around P3,800 to P5,000.
One can also complete the saliva-testing process in just around 30 minutes.
Vice Gov. John Edward Gando of Guimaras also welcomed saliva-based COVID testing.
“Waay gid problema kon i-allow sang IATF and DOH. Mas maka-less ang mga Guimarasnon (returning residents and overseas Filipino workers),” Gando told Panay News.
An influx of tourists – with negative RT-PCR results – could also be expected “given nga mas hapos i-comply ang saliva-testing.”
Also, pending IATF’s nod, Gando said the province of Guimaras would still require negative RT-PCR test results to all returning residents.
Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, meanwhile, said since March 19, 2020, the provincial government of Antique has been accepting negative swab test results or saliva-based COVID-19 testing from travelers outside Region 6.
“Returning Antiqueños and returning Overseas Filipinos should secure a negative RT-PCR (nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal/saliva) test result, provided that the test has been conducted after a five day strict quarantine from the point of origin; provided further, that the test result was issued not earlier than three days before travel to the province of Antique,” read part of Cadiao’s Executive Order No. 35-B.
“Sa EO ko nakalagay na those who want to come to Antique ni-require ng either RT-PCR, saliva test or antigen,” Cadiao said in interview with Panay News.
The governor also advised airline companies of this directive.
For Cadiao, this saliva-based COVID-19 testing is cheaper and painless.
“First and foremost, mahal ang swab. Second, naga reklamo ang mga pasahero nga matagal (results) sang swab. Tsaka dapat, like vaccines, everybody should have an access kon ano gusto ‘ya nga testing,” the governor added./PN
