The City Government of Valenzuela issues the immediate closure and suspension of the business permit of Bestcare Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center, Inc. in Barangay Karuhatan today, January 29, after reports have been received that the establishment has been offering RT-PCR swab tests with no license as an accredited COVID-19 testing facility.

Bestcare is also in violation of the provisions of RA 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concerns Act for failure to report COVID-19 test results and for allegedly releasing RT-PCR results with no license as a COVID-19 testing laboratory.

In its letter dated January 27, the City’s Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) issued a Notice to Explain to Bestcare Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Laboratory after information has been received by the office that the clinic has “committed acts of falsifying swab test results” using the name of another laboratory.

As the matter is still under investigation, the City Government of Valenzuela deems it is right to suspend the business permit of Bestcare in protection of consumer rights and public welfare as the clinic has been offering COVID-19 RT-PCR tests under its name without a license as a COVID-19 testing facility which is tantamount to misrepresentation.

Bestcare, in its response to the City dated January 29, also did not directly address the issue in its written explanation to the City Government for its alleged “questionable actions”.

The suspension and immediate closure have been ordered in the two (2) Bestcare branches in Barangay Karuhatan after Valenzuela City Mayor REX Gatchalian issued Executive Orders No. 015 and 016 Series of 2021.

Valenzuela City’s grounds for the suspension of the business permit include 1) Violation of Mayor’s Permit, 2) Violation of Waiver/Undertaking, 3) Violation of Consumer Rights, and 4) Violation of the provision of the Local Government Code on General Welfare.

The City Government of Valenzuela reminds the public to be vigilant and cautious of laboratories offering suspicious COVID-19 tests and services and report possible violations at the City’s Business Permits and Licensing Office at 8352-1000.