Are you looking to get RT-PCR Test for 4000 pesos and below? RT-PCR or Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction Test is considered as the gold standard in detecting corona virus infection. Hence, it remains to be one of the requirements to enter premiere tourist destinations in the country like Boracay and Siargao.

Click here for the list of requirements to enter Boracay.

Click here for the list of requirements to enter Siargao.

To curb COVID-19, the local government units have set minimum health and safety standards in compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) directives. One of the requirements is a negative RT-PCR test result taken 48 to 72 hours from extraction.

There are 114 laboratories licensed to conduct RT-PCR tests in the country. These are composed of government-run and private facilities. Click here for the list of other testing sites in the country.

The cost of RT-PCR test varies. I have heard stories from friends that it can go as high as P 10,000. The exorbitant cost certainly is a big turn-off for people to travel to COVID-free destinations such as Boracay. 

I have rounded up below some of the diagnostic laboratories certified by the Department of Health (DOH) that offer RT-PCR test for P 4000 and below.

Where to get RT-PCR test for 4000 pesos and below

1. Safeguard DNA Diagnostic Lab

Safeguard Diagnostic Lab has a Holiday Promo. They offer drive-thru, onsite and home services.

Drive- thru and On-site Rates (No Minimum)

Home Service, Hotel Service & Office Service (Minimum of 3 patients)

Book your appointment. For inquiries, please call or text:

09298284063 Monday to Saturday – 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

09993180728 Monday to Friday – 10:00A.M. to 05:00P.M.

2. Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory

The Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory is located at the CBL Area, Domestic Road, Pasay City. They also offer drive-thru, onsite and home services.

Drive- thru and On-site Rates (No Minimum)

Home Service (Minimum of 3 patients)

To set your appointment, click here or call their customer service hotline nos.: (02) 8251-5868, 0996-791-7788 or 0966-438-5045. They are open for walk-in and drive-thru swabbing, Mondays to Sundays from 8 AM to 6 PM. Their laboratories are operational 24/7.

3. Philippine Red Cross

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) likewise offers RT-PCR tests for 4000 pesos with guaranteed release of results in 24 to 48 hours.

On November 17, Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the PRC, announced during the Senate plenary hearing that PRC will be reducing the testing price to P 3300 and eventually to P 3200 to make it more affordable.

To book an appointment, call their hotline 1158 or download the RC143 app and connect via Viber chat.

So, if you need to get RT-PCR Test for 4000 pesos and below, try any of the three testing sites mentioned above. These sites can guarantee release of RT-PCR Test results within 48 to 72 hours.

Below are the RT-PCR testing Sites with prices ranging from 1750-2000. However, I am not sure if they can guarantee the release of results within 48 to 72 hours:

• Philippine Children Medical Center
• Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital
• Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital
• Perpetual Medical Center-Las Piñas
• National Kidney and Transplant Institute
• Lung Center of the Philippines
• Western Visayas Medical Center-Iloilo
• Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center-Cebu City
• University of Cebu Medical Center-Center
• Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center-Tacloban, Leyte
• Baguio General Hospital
• Zamboanga City Medical Center
• St. Paul’s Hospital-Tacloban, Leyte
• Teresita Jalandoni Provincial General Hospital-Negros Occidental
• Cebu Molecular Laboratory

Source: Inquirer

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The Philippines’ surfing capital Siargao reopens today November 23, 2020. Located in the northern east coast of Mindanao, Siargao is known for its world-class white sand beaches, natural rock formations, cave pools and wild water surf sites. Siargao is also nominated as the Asia’s leading island destination for 2020 in the upcoming World Travel Awards on November 27, 2020.

The Department of Toursm (DOT) is in full support of the island’s reopening. According to the DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, “This is encouraging news for everyone who loves the sea, especially the surfers. As Siargao reopens to travelers, subject to minimum health and safety standards, the people of the island will regain their livelihood and share their paradise to our kababayans once more with the same level of hospitality they have always been known for”.

As the Philippines’ surfing capital Siargao reopens, the Local Government Unit of Siargao has set minimum health and safety standards to curb COVID-19. This is in compliance with Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) directives. Hence, all hotels and resorts are required to:

• Get accreditation and a certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) from the DOT
• Business Permit
• E-Health System Registration
• E-Health Pass or QR Code Reader
• New normal Protocols approved by the Municipal Health Office.

List of requirements to enter Siargao

Note that curfew is enforced from 11:00PM to 4:00AM.

My quick visit to Siargao in 2018

When I visited the island two years ago, I intended it to be a solo travel adventure. Coincidentally,  my best buddy Jeff, who I have known more than half of my life, flew all the way from Paris to Siargao for a quick visit. He told me to meet me in Siargao. The last time I met him was more than a decade ago. So, without any travel itineraries and pre-booked tours, we rented our own bikes and explored the island for three and a half days.

Aside from surfing, you can do a lot of other activities when you visit Siargao. Below are the places of interests we went to:

• Cloud 9 in General Luna
• Taktak Falls in Santa Monica
• Magpupungko Rock Pools in Pilar
• Naked Island
• Daco Island

Watch my vlog when my best buddy and I visited Siargao in 2018:

Because it was a short visit, I was not able to explore other spots on Siargao like Guyam Island, Corregidor Island, Sugba Lagoon and a lot more. I surmise that to maximize Siargao, I should stay at least five days. I plan to return soon.

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August is no ghost month for travelers! As they say, never stop exploring! This August, avail of ongoing promo fares from your favorite airlines! Be sure to subscribe to this website and Facebook Page to get the latest travel and lifestyle updates.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines’ Three-Day Sale starts today, from August 1 to  August 3, 2018!

Avail of promo seats at Php 999, all-in one-way economy fare for domestic destinations. Click here to book.

https://www.facebook.com/flyPAL/photos/a.173221215866.160470.117387315866/10156364248015867/?type=3&theater

Where to go? Why not Siargao? Check out this 60-second teaser of my latest travel video featuring Siargao.

https://www.facebook.com/joeljawsandrada/videos/1877422502314405/

AirAsia

From July 30 until August 5, 2018, book and avail of Air Asia’s promo fares.

BIG Members may avail of AirAsia’s promo fares from as low as Php 1,190, all in, one-way. Non-Members may avail of promo fares from as low as Php 1,258. Travel period should be between July 20, 2018 and January 31, 2019.

Book your flights now here!

https://www.facebook.com/airasiaph/photos/a.124034034323149.19741.119566078103278/1984621458264388/?type=3&theater

Sign up here to be an AirAsia BIG Member and enjoy the following perks:

• Redeem trips to over 130 AirAsia destinations
• Save up to 90% on AirAsia flights
• Receive exclusive offers and free gifts

Check out AirAsia’s latest partnership with Bohol for the Sandugo Festival here.

Before you go, watch my latest travel video featuring the amazing island of Siargao.

https://www.facebook.com/joeljawsandrada/videos/1873196816070307/

Watch this on Youtube for better definition:

Happy travels! Signing out for now. Peace!

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WATCH and let me take you to some of the amazing spots in #SIARGAO #RoamingRoomies #dronescapades.

https://www.facebook.com/joeljawsandrada/videos/1873196816070307/

It was a short last minute summer getaway. I intended it to be a #solotravel to Siargao. Coincidentally,  my best buddy Jeff, who I have known more than half of my life and is now based in Paris, also flew all the way to Siargao for a quick visit. The last time I met him was more than a decade ago. Without any travel itineraries and pre-booked tours, we rented our own bikes and explored the island.
The places of interests that we visited were Cloud 9 in General Luna, Taktak Falls in Santa Monica, Magpupungko Rock Pools in Pilar, Naked Island and Daco Island in just 3.5 days. Because it was just a short visit, I was not able to visit other places like Guyam Island, Corregidor Island, Sugba Lagoon and a lot more. I plan to go back soon, perhaps, after the rainy season.

This blog will be updated soon for the back story, some travel guides, photos and tips.

I hope you enjoy watching this short video and do subscribe for more travel videos. Signing out for now. Peace!

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