The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) apologized to the Philippine Red Cross after the latter suspended PCR testing due to its overdue balance of Php 930,993,000 to the non-profit organization.
The PhilHealth said it is now coordinating with the PRC to resolve the issue which affects primary beneficiaries of free testing such as OFWs and frontline government workers.
“Ito po ay magiging pansamantala lamang. Hayaan lang po muna natin na kumbaga, maisaayos ‘yung ilang concerns, na bahagi po ito ng ating pag-iingat din. Gusto natin lahat ay nasa ayos po (This is only temporary. Let us wait for the concerns to be addressed as part of our precautionary measures. We want to ensure that everything is in place),” PhilHealth Spokesperson Rey Balena stated.
Balena assured that the PhilHealth has sufficient funds for the testing.
“Hopefully, they will be able to resolve it soon, and when they resolve it, balik sa dati (we will go back to normal),” PRC Board of Governors member Atty. Rodolfo Reyes responded.
“Hindi naman pwedeng mag-provide kami ng service na hindi kami nababayaran dahil lahat ito may cost dito… We’re non-profit pero siyempre, pero hindi kami makaka-operate kung wala-wala o hindi kami mababayaran (We cannot provide service without getting paid because there is a cost to be covered. We’re non-profit but we cannot operate without funds or without being paid),” Reyes added.
The testing of PRC comprises 30 percent of the country’s national testing capacity. With its suspension, total tests will be reduced by 10,000 to 15,000 per day.
“Malaki ang epekto, kaya kami talaga, nagta-trabaho kami since past several days facilitating PhilHealth payments (There is a huge impact that is why we are working since the past several days in facilitating PhilHealth payments),” testing czar Vince Dizon stated.
Meanwhile, other laboratories including RITM, Lung Center of the Philippines, JB Lingad Memorial General Hospital, among others are prepared to respond to testing needs pending PhilHealth’s payment to PRC.
– Reports from Mela Lesmoras and Naomi Tiburcio
