The Imposition of Charges and Fees under Molecular Laboratory Testing Facility of the COVID-19 RT-PCR Testing Situated at the Davao De Oro Provincial Hospital, Montevista, Davao De Oro

March 29, 2021 Excerpts from the Minutes of the 90th Regular Session of the 8th Sangguniang Panlalawigan Held on March 29, 2021 (Monday) at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Legislative Building, Provincial Capitol, Nabunturan, Davao De Oro. EXPLANATORY NOTE This Provincial Ordinance shall be constructed as a Special Revenue Ordinance in a manner that can achieve the primary objectives of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Davao de Oro to safeguard the public health of its constituents. The Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test is a most commonly used diagnostic test to determine COVID-19 infection. It is an accurate test that would take two to five (2-5) days to determine the presence of SARS-COV virus present in an infected individual. The availability of (RT-PCR) test can be accessed in the Molecular Laboratory Testing Facility at the Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital (DDO-PH), Montevista, Davao de Oro. The (RT-PCR) test is a most commonly sought diagnostic examination required by most institutions, companies and in different health screening stations at the regional boarders to allow employees and travelers entry to workplaces, other travel destinations, respectively. Executive Order (EO) No. 118 was signed on November 4, 2020, which mandated the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to determine, formulate and implement a price range for COVID-19 testing conducted by hospitals, laboratories, and other health establishments and facilities including the test kits used in the conduct of said tests, subject to existing rules, and regulations. In view of EO 118, Joint Administrative Order No. 1, s. 2020 was issued to implement regulation of prices of COVID-19 testing and test kits. As stated in the JAO, a monthly review will be conducted by DOH and DTI, hence, the mandated price range shall be subject to change. Pursuant to the foregoing, the following price range is set for RT-PCR testing, for compliance of all licensed COVID-19 testing laboratories nationwide. Unavailability of this needed test would hinder local institutions to support the government's campaign for early containment of COVID-19 infected employees. It will also hinder economic growth travels outside of Davao de Oro for the families. The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) has to provide for this test as it is perceived to be beneficial to both the employment and economic sectors. In order to sustain service provision, the provincial government has to recover the cost of the (RT-PCR) test through hospital charges and fees under Molecular Laboratory Testing Facility in compliance with the mandated price range for Public Testing Laboratories, subject to changes as may be determined by the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry as provided for in Department Circular 2020-03691 of the DOH. DAVAO DE ORO PROVINCIAL ORDINANCE NO. 079-21 A PROVINCIAL SPECIAL REVENUE ORDINANCE FOR THE IMPOSITION OF CHARGES AND FEES UNDER MOLECULAR LABORATORY TESTING FACILITY OF THE COVID-19 REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION-POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (RT-PCR) TESTING IN DAVAO DE ORO PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL (DDO-PH) AT MONTEVISTA, DAVAO DE ORO Author: Hon. Macario T. Humol Co-Author: Hon. Joseph t. Jauod Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao de Oro in Session, upon motion of Hon. Joseph T. Jauod, duly seconded by the majority of the committee members, assembled that: SECTION 1. Title. This Ordinance shall be known as " The Imposition of Charges and Fees under Molecular Laboratory Testing Facility of the COVID-19 Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing situated at the Davao De Oro Provincial Hospital (DDO-PH), Montevista, Davao De Oro. " SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. The following terms are whether conceptually of operationally defined: 1. COVID-19 refers to the Novel Corona Virus 2019 which is caused by the virus known as the Severe Acute Respiratory Corona Virus 2 (SARS-COV 2). 2. RT-PCR Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction. SECTION 3. Price Range for the COVID-19 Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing. Category of Laboratory Plate-based RT-PCR Reference (Minimum) 2 Cap (Maximum) 3 Private 1 PhP4,500.00 PhP5,000.00 Public PhP3,800.00 PhP3,800.00 1 This includes facilities that are under a public-private partnership agreement. 2 Facilities may charge patients for COVID-19 testing at a price below the reference price, provided that quality of service shall still be maintained. 3 Facilities shall not charge patients at a price exceeding the maximum price. This price range is already inclusive of all costs associated with testing, including a faster turnaround time and other premium services. This information shall be available for public access in the DOH website and other social media platforms. ALL COVID-19 testing laboratories are to strictly comply with this price range starting November 30, 2020 . SECTION 4. Coverage. Only the recovery cost of the Kit and payment for the Molecular Laboratory Testing Facility of the COVID-19 Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing in Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital (DDO-PH) at Montevista, Davao de Oro shall be charged and collected. Services and other incremental and overhead expenses will be shouldered by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Davao de Oro, this province. SECTION 5. Lead Office. The Office of the Provincial Economic Enterprise and Management Officer (PEEMO)/Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital (DDO-PH) shall take charge in the implementation of this Ordinance. SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. All Ordinances, Rules and Regulations that are in conflict or contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby deemed modified, amended or repealed accordingly. SECTION 7. Separability Clause. Should any Provision, Section or Part of this Ordinance be adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction or by the Secretary of Justice in proper cases and/or other competent authority, such judgment shall not affect or impair the remaining Provisions, Sections or Parts which shall continue to be in full force and effect. SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. This ordinance shall take effect upon approval. ENACTED AND APPROVED this 29th day of March 2021 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Nabunturan, Province of Davao de Oro. CARRIED. I hereby certify to the correctness of the above-quoted ordinance. (SGD.) THELMA R. CURIMAO-YUMANG, MPA Secretary to the Sanggunian Attested: (SGD.) MARIA CARMEN S. ZAMORA, MNSA (Vice Governor) Presiding Officer Approved: (SGD.) JAYVEE TYRON L. UY, MPA Governor