Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday appealed to the government to extend the cut-off date of the exemption of medical and allied professionals from the temporary ban imposed on overseas deployment.
Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, said he favors the proposal to move the cut-off date of contracts from March 8, 2020 to August 31, 2020 that will be covered by the exemption.
“This is in consideration of the need for these medical professionals to comply with their perfected contracts abroad and in recognizing that the ongoing pandemic caused by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is a global health crisis,” Go said as he appealed on behalf of the medical professionals.
“Kawawa naman ang mga healthcare professionals na mayroon nang pirmadong mga kontrata pero hindi makaalis dahil sa deployment ban. Ang iba sa kanila ay naipit sa Pilipinas ng walang trabaho, at gumastos na ng malaking halaga para asikasuhin ang mga dokumento para sa kani-kanilang deployment. Magmalasakit tayo sa kanila dahil kabuhayan nila ang nakataya ditto (Pity our healthcare workers who are banned from deployment abroad although they have signed contracts. Some of them are in a bind as they are jobless after spending so much just to complete their documents. Let’s commiserate with them as their livelihood is at stake here),” Go said.
“Sana’y payagan natin sila na makapunta sa kanilang mga pinagtatrabahuan kahit sa ibang bansa ito. Malaki ang papel ng ating mga kababayang nasa medical field. Ikonsidera natin ang kanilang serbisyo at kontribusyon sa pagsugpo ng pandemya hindi lang dito sa bansa kundi sa buong mundo (We hope they would be allowed to leave for abroad. The role of our countrymen in the medical field is much appreciated. Let us consider their services and contribution in containing COVID-19 not only in the country but globally),” he added.
A temporary ban on the deployment of these medical professionals was imposed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on April 2, 2020.
Go said the move to extend the cut-off date will allow the healthcare professionals the opportunity to fulfill their duty and obligation and help save lives from the COVID-19 pandemic, even if their services are rendered abroad.
“World-class po ang ating medical professionals. Kailangan ang serbisyo nila sa buong mundo. May sinumpaan sila sa kanilang trabaho na sumalba ng buhay kahit sinuman, kahit saan man (Our medical professionals are world-class. Their services are wanted all over the world. They have taken their oath to save lives, whoever they are and whoever needs help),” he said.
“We also recognized the invaluable service that our medical professionals are doing in different parts of the world,” he added.
The senator from Davao also explained that moving of the cut-off date for those who have perfected and signed their employment contracts would be the country’s contribution and in solidarity with other countries in the world’s battle against the virus outbreak.
Go again thanked Filipino health workers who continue to fight COVID-19 to save lives.
He stressed that their dedication, service and sacrifice are immeasurable.