Saliva testing for Boracay tourists pushed

 The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Western Visayas (PCCI-WV) is urging the Boracay Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious (IATF-Boracay) Diseases to allow the saliva testing as a requirement of tourists entering the resort island.

In a copy of the draft resolution, the PCCI-WV said that saliva testing is cheaper compared to the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction swab test currently being required. Results of the said testing method also has a shorter turnaround time of 3-4 hours compared to the 24 to 48 hours of the RT-PCR test.

Among those expected to sign the manifests were Ronald So, regional governor of PCCI-Western Visayas, Wesley Van Der Voort, president of PCCI-Boracay; Vicente Lagunday, PCCI-Antique; Ramel Buncalan, PCCI-Aklan; Engr. Dale Bernas of PCCI-Halaran Capiz; Neptune Pittman of Guimaras and Roberto Montelibano of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“We thank and support you for the continuing and collective efforts to complete the rehabilitation of Boracay and the initiatives to boost the economic recovery of the Island,” the first part of the resolution reads.

“We would like the IATF Boracay to seriously review and consider, and if applicable and reliable, approve for the immediate use of the RT PCR saliva test as an alternative testing mode for Boracay,” the resolution said.

If the Boracay IATF approves the use of saliva testing, they will endorse the same to the national anti-coronavirus disease body a copy of which will be forwarded to the Department of Tourism, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Earlier, the local government of Malay also issued a resolution to use the saliva testing of the Philippine Red Cross in diagnosing Covid-19 among their residents to which includes Boracay.