Melo Villareal
Manila, Philippines — Philippine Travel RT-PCR Test Subsidy for Qualified Domestic Tourists is a joint partnership between the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) as part of the marketing recovery program, Safe Bangon Turismo to subsidize the RT-PCR test costs for the revival of the Philippine tourism industry.
Q1. WHO CAN AVAIL OF THE 50% SUBSIDY FOR THE RT-PCR TEST?
A1. Filipinos and foreigners residing in the Philippines can avail of the 50% subsidy for the RT-PCR Test with tourism as the purpose of domestic travel. Chosen travel destinations should only be those declared open to leisure tourists.
Q2. I AM A FOREIGNER LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES. CAN I APPLY FOR THE SUBSIDY AND SUBMIT MY ALIEN CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION CARD AS MY VALID GOVERNMENT-ISSUED ID?
A2. Yes, you can apply for the subsidy. Foreigners living in the Philippines who are residents with work, long term, student, or other valid visas may avail of the subsidy as long as the purpose of domestic travel is for tourism. Submitted requirements will be evaluated by the Screening Committee.
Q3. I WANT TO AVAIL OF THE 50% SUBSIDY FOR THE RT-PCR TEST. WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS I NEED TO SUBMIT?
A3. You must submit the following documents in the application form:
- Copy of two (2) valid government-issued IDs
- Copy of confirmed hotel booking
- Copy of roundtrip transportation tickets, if applicable (airline/bus/ferry tickets)
Q4. WHAT VALID GOVERNMENT-ISSUED IDs CAN I SUBMIT IN MY APPLICATION?
A4. Valid government-issued IDs are the following: Driver’s license, Passport, PRC license, PhilPost ID, UMID, SSS, Voter’s ID, TIN ID, PhilHealth ID, and Senior Citizen ID.
Q5. HOW MANY QUALIFIED DOMESTIC TOURISTS CAN UP-PGH ACCOMMODATE PER DAY FOR THE SUBSIDIZED RT-PCR SWAB TEST?
A5. UP-PGH can accommodate 100 qualified domestic tourists only per day.
Q6. I AM WILLING TO PAY THE REGULAR PRICE OF PHP1,800 FOR THE RT-PCR TEST. CAN I SET A SCHEDULE FOR TESTING DIRECTLY WITH UP-PGH?
A6. UP-PGH will not entertain walk-in domestic tourists other than those evaluated and endorsed by the TPB. Qualified domestic tourists are automatically eligible to avail of the subsidy.
Q7. CAN I REGISTER MORE THAN FIVE (5) DAYS BEFORE MY DEPARTURE DATE?
A7. Yes, you may register earlier than the five (5) day period before your departure date. However, considering that open tourism destinations require that the RT-PCR test was taken 72-hours before departure/scheduled travel date, you will be scheduled for swabbing three (3) days before your travel date.
Q8. IF MULTIPLE TOURISTS ARE INDICATED IN ONE TRANSPORTATION TICKET, WILL EACH TOURIST HAVE TO REGISTER INDIVIDUALLY?
A8. Yes, tourists will have to register individually.
Q9. WHAT IF I SENT MY APPLICATION LESS THAN FIVE (5) DAYS BEFORE MY DEPARTURE DATE. WILL IT BE ACCOMMODATED?
A9. We regret that the existing process cannot accommodate applications sent less than five (5) days before the departure date, considering the evaluation and scheduling work required to process the subsidy’s availment.
Q10. I HAVE SENT MY APPLICATION TO AVAIL OF THE SUBSIDY. WHERE CAN I FOLLOW-UP?
A10. You may follow-up on your application by sending an email to [email protected]
Q11. MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED TO AVAIL OF THE SUBSIDY. WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT STEP?
A11. Approved applicants will receive an email from UP-PGH with the log-in credentials for
the Client Investigation Form (CIF) (https://cif.pgh.gov.ph) to be filled up properly and
completely. Once the CIF has been submitted, UP-PGH will notify the approved applicant
of the schedule for swab testing. Only those who have submitted the CIF online and who
have received confirmation of the swab test schedule will be accommodated.
Q12. MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN REJECTED AFTER EVALUATION. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE REASONS OF THE NON-ACCEPTANCE OF MY APPLICATION?
A12. Your application may be rejected if:
- You are not residing in the Philippines
- You sent your application less than five (5) days before your departure date
- You booked in a non-DOT-accredited accommodation
- Your accommodation booking confirmation does not bear the name of the
accommodation property, date/s of stay, and/or booking confirmation number - Your transportation ticket is not roundtrip and/or does not bear the applicant’s name
and/or booking reference number - Your transportation and accommodation bookings do not reflect the same duration
dates - You have submitted an identification card not included in the list
- Your submitted documents are not clear and readable
Q13. MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN REJECTED AFTER EVALUATION, BUT I WANT TO CLARIFY THE REASON/S WHY MY APPLICATION WAS REJECTED. WHERE CAN I SEND MY INQUIRY?
A13. For clarification regarding the status of your application, you can send an email to [email protected]
Q14. WHAT IF I AM NOT AVAILABLE ON THE GIVEN SCHEDULE OF SWAB TESTING? CAN I REQUEST FOR A RESCHEDULING?
A14. You can coordinate directly with UP-PGH on the rescheduling of your swab testing.
Please be advised that UP-PGH can only accommodate 100 qualified domestic tourists per
day.
Q15. WHEN IS THE EARLIEST DATE THAT I CAN RECEIVE MY RT-PCR SWAB TEST RESULT?
A15. UP-PGH shall send the COVID19 RT-PCR test result directly to you via email within 24 hours from the conduct of the swab test.
Q16. CAN CHILDREN ALSO AVAIL OF THE 50% SUBSIDY FOR THE RT-PCR TEST?
A16. Based on IATF Resolution No. 84 Series 2020 dated November 19, 2020, Section B
No. 8, age restrictions for travelers for tourism purposes may be relaxed upon the
determination of local government units, and subject to prior consultation with the DOT,
DOH, and DILG, and the development of specific guidelines for this purpose. Thus, we shall
process and evaluate applications subject to the submission of the complete documents.
Valid IDs for children are any of the following: Passport, School ID, and Birth Certificate.
Q17. I BOOKED MY ACCOMMODATION THROUGH AIRBNB. WILL MY APPLICATION BE ACCEPTED TO AVAIL OF THE 50% SUBSIDY?
A17. The Guidelines provide that only bookings made with DOT-accredited accommodation properties are qualified for the RT-PCR subsidy.
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Also read: How To Visit Bohol As A Tourist Under The New Normal
