Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Go seeks to hasten repatriation of OFWs from Wuhan, other parts of Hubei province
Philippines
Go seeks to hasten repatriation of OFWs from Wuhan, other parts of Hubei province
Go seeks to hasten repatriation of OFWs from Wuhan, other parts of Hubei province
Published Feb 7, 2020 12:00 am
By Mario Casayuran
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is coordinating with concerned government agencies to hasten the repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Wuhan City and other parts of Hubei province in China.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (MALACAÑANG PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Go, chairman of the Senate Health Committee, said the OFWs have expressed their desire to return home amid the ongoing 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD) outbreak in China.
In an interview during his visit to fire victims in Quezon City the other day, Go said that the OFWs might be repatriated “anytime soon.”
He also expressed his concern for the Filipinos who are currently in Wuhan, the ground zero of the global health emergency.
“They will come (home) soon. Anytime in the next few days, kaya inihahanda na po ang possible quarantine areas,” Go said, urging officials to expedite the repatriation process. (The possible quarantine areas are being prepared.)
“Dapat sa lalong madaling panahon, while observing our health protocols. Kung pumayag na ang bansang China, ready na po, pauwiin na po (agad). Kawawa din sila roon. Hindi nababayaran ang lungkot at pangamba sa ibang bansa,” he added. (Their return home should be sooner while observing protocols. If China says yes, the Philippines is ready to bring them home. They are suffering there (in China). They are fearful and sad.)
Go said Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs Vince Dizon is in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) in preparing the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City in Tarlac as a quarantine area for repatriated Filipinos.
“Na-offer po ito ni Vince Dizon ng BCDA na ready po at mas kumpleto ang pasilidad sa Athletes’ Village. Ready to accommodate po sila (ng mga Pilipino na) coming from China,” Go said. (The Athletes’ Village was offered by Dizon as its facilities are complete. The Village is ready to accommodate the returning OFWs from China.)
Go, former special assistant to President Duterte, said the President prefers that the returning OFWs should be made comfortable and safe.
He also said that New Clark City would be a strategic site for the quarantine protocol because its location is near the Clark International Airport.
According to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, there are 45 Filipinos so far who will be repatriated from Wuhan City.
They are currently finalizing the documents needed, with the help of foreign affairs officials and Chinese authorities, in order to be allowed by the Chinese government to be repatriated back to the Philippines.
Once granted permission by the Chinese authorities to exit China, the repatriation is tentatively scheduled on February 8 and the repatriates are expected to arrive in the Philippines the next day, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The government will be assigning officers to help in the repatriation, including doctors and nurses from the DOH. Personal protective equipment shall be provided to the team.
The IATF clarified that the repatriates must have Public Health Clearance as well as Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine clearance from China. Briefing and counseling for the repatriates will be conducted by the Philippine embassy.
A chartered commercial plane shall be used to fly the repatriates back to the Philippines. Before boarding, thermal scanning and assessment shall be conducted again by the DOH team.
While on-board the plane to the Philippines, DOH shall conduct orientation on quarantine rules and procedures. Upon arrival in Clark International Airport, thermal scanning shall again be conducted prior to disembarkation.
From Clark International Airport, the repatriates shall be transported to the Athletes’ Village. Pre-arranged rooms will be assigned to all OFWs, packed food will be served by DOH Regional Office, and routine nursing care will be available for their healthcare needs.
If there are repatriates with developing cases, they will be brought to the nearest referral hospital. Five DOH hospitals in Region 3 shall deploy medical teams for the whole duration of the repatriates’ stay in NCC. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will be in charge of the send-off after fourteen days of quarantine.
Go reiterated his advice to Filipinos to remain calm and help the government in protecting the country and its people from this global health concern.
Meanwhile, Go extended help to around 60 families affected by a fire that started on February 4 at Astor Street, Barangay North Fairview, Quezon City.
Aside from relief and financial assistance, Go also offered to provide for the uniforms and school supplies of the affected students. He also extended help to those who need to undergo medical operations.
Read more: PH repatriation team now in Wuhan
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (MALACAÑANG PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Go, chairman of the Senate Health Committee, said the OFWs have expressed their desire to return home amid the ongoing 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD) outbreak in China.
In an interview during his visit to fire victims in Quezon City the other day, Go said that the OFWs might be repatriated “anytime soon.”
He also expressed his concern for the Filipinos who are currently in Wuhan, the ground zero of the global health emergency.
“They will come (home) soon. Anytime in the next few days, kaya inihahanda na po ang possible quarantine areas,” Go said, urging officials to expedite the repatriation process. (The possible quarantine areas are being prepared.)
“Dapat sa lalong madaling panahon, while observing our health protocols. Kung pumayag na ang bansang China, ready na po, pauwiin na po (agad). Kawawa din sila roon. Hindi nababayaran ang lungkot at pangamba sa ibang bansa,” he added. (Their return home should be sooner while observing protocols. If China says yes, the Philippines is ready to bring them home. They are suffering there (in China). They are fearful and sad.)
Go said Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs Vince Dizon is in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) in preparing the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City in Tarlac as a quarantine area for repatriated Filipinos.
“Na-offer po ito ni Vince Dizon ng BCDA na ready po at mas kumpleto ang pasilidad sa Athletes’ Village. Ready to accommodate po sila (ng mga Pilipino na) coming from China,” Go said. (The Athletes’ Village was offered by Dizon as its facilities are complete. The Village is ready to accommodate the returning OFWs from China.)
Go, former special assistant to President Duterte, said the President prefers that the returning OFWs should be made comfortable and safe.
He also said that New Clark City would be a strategic site for the quarantine protocol because its location is near the Clark International Airport.
According to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, there are 45 Filipinos so far who will be repatriated from Wuhan City.
They are currently finalizing the documents needed, with the help of foreign affairs officials and Chinese authorities, in order to be allowed by the Chinese government to be repatriated back to the Philippines.
Once granted permission by the Chinese authorities to exit China, the repatriation is tentatively scheduled on February 8 and the repatriates are expected to arrive in the Philippines the next day, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The government will be assigning officers to help in the repatriation, including doctors and nurses from the DOH. Personal protective equipment shall be provided to the team.
The IATF clarified that the repatriates must have Public Health Clearance as well as Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine clearance from China. Briefing and counseling for the repatriates will be conducted by the Philippine embassy.
A chartered commercial plane shall be used to fly the repatriates back to the Philippines. Before boarding, thermal scanning and assessment shall be conducted again by the DOH team.
While on-board the plane to the Philippines, DOH shall conduct orientation on quarantine rules and procedures. Upon arrival in Clark International Airport, thermal scanning shall again be conducted prior to disembarkation.
From Clark International Airport, the repatriates shall be transported to the Athletes’ Village. Pre-arranged rooms will be assigned to all OFWs, packed food will be served by DOH Regional Office, and routine nursing care will be available for their healthcare needs.
If there are repatriates with developing cases, they will be brought to the nearest referral hospital. Five DOH hospitals in Region 3 shall deploy medical teams for the whole duration of the repatriates’ stay in NCC. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will be in charge of the send-off after fourteen days of quarantine.
Go reiterated his advice to Filipinos to remain calm and help the government in protecting the country and its people from this global health concern.
Meanwhile, Go extended help to around 60 families affected by a fire that started on February 4 at Astor Street, Barangay North Fairview, Quezon City.
Aside from relief and financial assistance, Go also offered to provide for the uniforms and school supplies of the affected students. He also extended help to those who need to undergo medical operations.
Read more: PH repatriation team now in Wuhan