Manila continuing free swab tests

The city government of Manila will continue to provide Covid RT-PCR swab tests for free until next year, both for residents of the capital city and those from other areas.

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso made the assurance Friday that the costly test will continue to be shouldered by his administration as the city’s contribution to the country’s fight against the virus.

Domagoso has been saying that Manila has opened its doors even to non-residents who want to be tested or vaccinated or be given free Covid-19 medicines because the city hosts students and workers alike from neighboring cities and evens the provinces.

He said that while the number of Covid-19 cases continues to drop with the Philippine General Hospital hospital reporting no new Covid-19 admission in two days, there’s no room for complacency.

He said the virus remains a threat and so the minimum health standards set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases should be observed like social distancing and the wearing of masks.

“Those being required by their employers to take swab tests at their own expense, you don’t need to spend. Just go to our drive-thru center in Luneta (Rizal Park) or to our six hospitals to get it for free,” Domagoso said.

The city of Manila, he added, is using RT-PCR because it is the gold standard of testing being very accurate albeit costing thousands of pesos per test.

To avail of the free swab test, one needs to register in the city’s portal.

So far, over 175,000 individuals have been given free swab tests in Manila since it started the program a year ago.

“This will remain free as long as we can. Don’t hesitate because the city government of Manila will help you,” he said.