Here’s How You Can Get Discounted Swab Tests for Your Ilocos Trip

As parts of the Philippines continue to gradually reopen for tourism, various projects and programs are being launched to help assure safe and enjoyable travels under the new normal. These projects include a subsidy program for RT-PCR tests to give qualified domestic tourists discounted swab tests.

To boost tourism, the province of Ilocos Norte was listed as one of the many tourist destinations that are part of the RT-PCR test subsidy program conducted by the Department of Tourism. Ilocos Norte joins other destinations like Metro Manila, Boracay, Baguio, Bohol, Cebu, and Palawan. If you’re planning to visit the home of iconic heritage sites and remarkable delicacies, read below and find out how you can avail discounted swab tests for your trip.

The Department of Tourism, in partnership with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) and the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), now offers subsidized RT-PCR tests that will benefit up to 11,600 tourists.

The TPB will subsidize 50% of the swab test costs, cutting the original price of the test from PhP1,800 to PhP900 at the UP-PGH and PhP750 at the PCMC. The board said that this subsidy program aims to help “restore confidence” in safe traveling under the new normal. It is just one of the many projects that are part of the “Safe Bangon Turismo” campaign which aims to support the Philippine tourism industry.

To avail, travelers must first register online and pre-schedule their RT-PCR test at www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel/ five days before their scheduled departure date. They must submit a copy of a valid government-issued ID, a copy of a confirmed accommodation booking, and proof of transportation ticket for the appropriate mode of travel.

Families and groups can be scheduled together. Tourists with approved applications will receive an email of their swab test schedule from UP-PGH. Tourism Promotions Board Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones said that the subsidy program will run until June 2021, but the memorandum of agreement can be renewed until next year depending on the situation of the pandemic in the country.

With this initiative, it will be a little easier on the wallet to see tourist destinations in Ilocos again!

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates on tourist destinations in Ilocos .