Budget airline Cebu Pacific on Tuesday, July 6, announced that it has lowered its 24-hour swab test price to P2,500, slightly cheaper than the discounted rate that Philippine Airlines (PAL) began offering its passengers for the same service two weeks ago.

On June 21, PAL announced that it had reduced its RT-PCR test price to P2,599 from P3,300, with results available within 24 hours.

Cebu Pacific countered that offer on Tuesday, as it announced that it was further reducing the price for its 24-hour swab test offer for passengers from P3,200 to P2,500.

The service is offered through Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Incorporated (SDDI), which has facilities in Mandaluyong City, Davao City, and Bacolod City.

“We are committed to keep not only our flights as affordable as possible, but even our services across the board,” said Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience Candice Iyog.

“As some local and international destinations may still require negative RT-PCR test results, we made sure we are able to provide the cheapest rates in the market which may conveniently be availed by everyJuan through our website,” Iyog added.

Cebu Pacific also lowered its antigen test price at the Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory (PADLAB) to P675 from P700.

In mid-June, Cebu Pacific announced that swab test price with partners Health Metrics Incorporated (HMI) and SDDI was reduced to P2,500, with results available in 48 hours.

HMI is still offering 48-hour swab tests for P2,500, and 24-hour swab tests for P3,200.

PADLAB, meanwhile, offers 24-hour RT-PCR tests for a reduced rate of P2,899, while 48-hour tests are now priced at P2,699.

Testing before boarding is still a requirement in most destinations. Cebu Pacific urged its passengers to always check with the local government of their destination for the latest pandemic restrictions. – Rappler.com