Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 25) — Members of the media are now considered frontliners in the fight against COVID-19, and can undergo RT-PCR testing to be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the testing of media practitioners will be covered by the diagnostic services of PhilHealth under the Universal Healthcare Law.
“Para sa mga kasama natin sa media, pati kayo itatrato na frontliners at susubukan natin na lahat ng miyembro ng media ay ma-test na din via PCR,” Roque said in a Palace briefing Thursday.
[Translation: For everyone in the media, you will be treated as frontliners and we will try to test all members of the media via PCR.]
The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is considered the gold standard in testing for possible COVID-19 infection.
Reporters, cameramen, production crew, and newsroom staff will be included in this protocol.
COVID-19 Task Force Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon said media practitioners can visit public and private laboratories by the Philippine Red Cross.
