The Philippine Red Cross has launched its COVID Samaritan program to make sure that the poor who cannot afford the CaOVID-19 testing fee may get tested, Senator Richard Gordon said Sunday.
Gordon, PRC chairman and chief executive, repeated the need to ramp up testing to ensure victory in the fight against the pandemic.
He said the COVID Samaritan program would help achieve that result since those who could not afford the testing fee would be covered by the funds donated for the program.
“People should be tested so we can win the fight against COVID. This
way, carriers can be separated from those who are not infected and they can be cured," Gordon said.
"And those who were tested can go back to work. This is why we started this program for those who cannot afford to pay to still get tested.”
Gordon says the Automobile Association of the Philippines, through Jose Armando Eduque, has donated €50,000, or almost P2.8 million, for the program. He commended the group for contributing to the fight against the pandemic.
He also commended Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Philippines Inc. (Lysol Philippines) for its donation in May. Half of the amount would go to the COVID Samaritan program to be used for testing women and the elderly who cannot pay for their tests. The other half would be used to build a molecular laboratory in Cagayan de Oro.
“We cannot be a nation unless we help those who are deprived but are willing to fight,” Gordon said as he appealed to donors for donations.
“Those who want to give to the poor so they can be tested can donate funds.”
The Philippine Red Cross has similar programs, such as the Blood Samaritan for those who need blood but cannot afford it, Dialysis Samaritan for those who need to undergo dialysis, and the General Good Samaritan for people with other illnesses.
Donations for the COVID Samaritan program may be sent through the
following bank accounts: Banco De Oro
Account name: Philippine Red Cross
Peso account: 00-4530190938
Dollar account: 10-453-0039482
Swift code: BNORPHMM
Metrobank Account name: Philippine Red Cross
Peso account: 151-7-15152434-2
Dollar account: 151-2-15100218-2
Swift code: MBTCPHMM
Land Bank of the Philippines Account name: Philippine Red Cross.
Account number: 0561-095817.