2021 Ordinance Amending the 2017 Revised Revenue Code of the Province of Iloilo, Incorporating Therein the Price for RT-PCR Tests

February 16, 2021 Excerpts from the Minutes of the 80th Regular Session of the 13th Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Iloilo Held in the Session Hall of the New Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City on February 16, 2021. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-067 RESOLUTION EMBODYING PROVINCIAL ORDINANCE NO. 2021-249 , AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PROVINCIAL ORDINANCE NO. 2017-145 , "2017 REVISED REVENUE CODE OF ILOILO," INCORPORATING THEREIN THE PRICE FOR RT-PCR TEST IN ALL LICENSED COVID-19 TESTING LABORATORIES OF THE ILOILO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT Sponsored by: Hon. Renee L. Valencia WHEREAS , Section 16 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, provides that every local government unit shall exercise the powers necessary for the promotion of the general welfare of the people and ensure and support the promotion of their health and safety; WHEREAS , the Corona Virus disease, commonly known as COVID-19, is an infectious disease that has become a pandemic. It has claimed lives of thousands and infected millions of people worldwide, devastated economies and drastically changed the economic and social landscape all over the world; WHEREAS , governments, in order to cushion the impact of the pandemic and facilitate prompt recovery of their economics, have adopted measures to curtail the spread of the virus, prevent its transmission, spur economic activity and hasten recovery; WHEREAS , in order to strengthen its COVID-19 response programs and activities, the Iloilo Provincial Government established a biological laboratory at the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan, Iloilo which provides RT-PCR Testing as well as other diagnostic and laboratory examinations for the people of the province; WHEREAS , for the Iloilo Provincial Government to accordingly charge and collect payment for new services rendered by its hospitals and licensed laboratories, such as the RT-PCR test, and thus, recover costs and generate revenue therefrom, such fees and charges must be expressly provided in an Ordinance or in the Revenue Code of the Iloilo; WHEREAS , Department Circular No. 2020-0391 of the Department of Health issued on November 27, 2020, pursuant to Executive Order No. 118 by Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte dated November 4, 2020, provided for the price range for RT-PCR Test for examinations conducted in both private and public hospitals and licensed laboratories; NOW THEREFORE , on motion of the Honorable Domingo B. Oso, Jr., Floor Leader, and upon the sponsorship of the Honorable Renee L. Valencia, Chairperson, Committee on Ways and Means, which was duly seconded, BE IT ORDAINED as it is hereby ordained by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo in session assembled, that: ILOILO PROVINCIAL ORDINANCE NO. 2021-249 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PROVINCIAL ORDINANCE NO. 2017-145, "2017 REVISED REVENUE CODE OF ILOILO," INCORPORATING THEREIN THE PRICE FOR RT-PCR TEST IN ALL LICENSED COVID-19 TESTING LABORATORIES OF THE ILOILO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SECTION 1. This Ordinance shall be known as the 2021 Ordinance Amending the 2017 Revised Revenue Code of the Province of Iloilo, Incorporating Therein the Price for RT-PCR Tests . SECTION 2. That Section 1C.01 (Definitions), Article C (Definition of Terms and Acronyms), Chapter I (General Provisions) of Provincial Ordinance No. 2017-145 is hereby amended to include the following words or phrase: (vv) RT-PCR Test also known as real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in upper and lower respiratory specimens collected from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their health care provider, as well as for testing of individuals without symptoms or other reasons to suspect COVID-19 infection. (ww) MAP also known as Medical Assistance Program, is a program of the Iloilo Provincial Government (IPG) intended to provide free medical assistance to indigent clients availing the services of the district hospitals and license laboratories of the IPG. SECTION 3. That C.8 (Miscellaneous), Sub-Section C (Laboratory Services), Section 4A.01 (Imposition of Fees), Article A (Hospital Fees and Charges), Chapter IV (Service Fees) of Provincial Ordinance No. 2017-145 is hereby amended to include the rate or price of RT-PCR Tests, as follows: Services Rate RT-PCR Test P3,800 RT-PCR Test (PhilHealth covered indigent clients) P3,800 c/o PhilHealth & MAP RT-PCR Test (PhilHealth covered clients) P3,800 less PhilHealth coverage SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. All Ordinances, Resolutions, Orders, Memoranda and Other Issuances inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby altered, amended or repealed accordingly. SECTION 5. Separability Clause. In case any provision of this Ordinance shall be found to be invalid or unconstitutional, all other provisions not affected thereof shall remain in force and effect. SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. This Ordinance shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion of its full publication in any newspaper of general circulation. RESOLVED FURTHER , to furnish copies of this Resolution, the Honorable Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr., the Honorable Vice Governor Christine S. Garin, all Mayors of component Local Government Units (LGUs), the Offices of the Provincial Legal Officer, the Provincial Treasurer, the Provincial Budget Officer, the Provincial Accountant, the Provincial Auditor, the Hospital Management Officer, and the Honorable Renee L. Valencia, Chairperson, Committee on Ways and Means, all of the Province of Iloilo, for their information and reference, APPROVED. I HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the above-quoted Resolution. ATTY. RAUL S. TIOSAYCO, JR. Secretary to the Sanggunian CONCURRED BY: DOMINGO B. OSO, JR. Floor Leader ATTESTED BY: CHRISTINE "TINGLING" S. GARIN Presiding Officer APPROVED: ARTHUR R. DEFENSOR, JR. Governor