Palaces promises action for swift release of OFWs' COVID-19 results
By Genalyn Kabiling
Malacañang has promised to take action to facilitate the swift release of the results of the coronavirus tests of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he would "go out of our way" and look into the reported delay in the release of the test results of the repatriates who are still staying in quarantine centers.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
He has asked the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to submit an inventory of the Filipino repatriates awaiting health clearance.
"Pakikialaman na po natin iyan at talagang hihingi tayo ng imbentaryo sa OWWA kung sinu-sino iyong mga naghihintay ng resulta, bakit ganoon katagal (We will look into this and we will ask OWWA for an inventory about those waiting for the results, why it is taking so long),” he said in a Palace press briefing aired over government television.
"We will look into this now. We will go out of our way and actually ask OWWA for an inventory, lalung-lalo na kung ilan na iyong mga napakatagal nang naghihintay ng resulta (especially on how many are still waiting for their results), and really ask iyong (the) laboratories, ‘Kaya ninyo ba o hindi?’('Can you do it or not?') Okay? We will do that po. Right after this briefing, we will take steps," he added.
Roque said he will give an update as soon as he gets answers from concerned authorities about the matter. He said the plight of displaced overseas Filipino workers remains among the foremost concerns of the President.
"Ang Presidente rin ay nagiging concerned na dito, dahil nga ang mga OFWs ay nawalan na ng trabaho, gusto nang makauwi, eh titingnan po natin kung paano mapapabilis iyan (The President is also getting concerned about this, because the OFWs lost their jobs and just want to return home. We will see how this can be hastened),” he said.
Roque made the remarks after some OFWs reportedly complained about the slow release of their coronavirus test results. The delay has reportedly prompted some Filipino repatriates to leave the quarantine centers pending their test results.
The government has required all returning OFWs to undergo a 14-day facility-based quarantine and a coronavirus test upon arrival in the country.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
He has asked the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to submit an inventory of the Filipino repatriates awaiting health clearance.
"Pakikialaman na po natin iyan at talagang hihingi tayo ng imbentaryo sa OWWA kung sinu-sino iyong mga naghihintay ng resulta, bakit ganoon katagal (We will look into this and we will ask OWWA for an inventory about those waiting for the results, why it is taking so long),” he said in a Palace press briefing aired over government television.
"We will look into this now. We will go out of our way and actually ask OWWA for an inventory, lalung-lalo na kung ilan na iyong mga napakatagal nang naghihintay ng resulta (especially on how many are still waiting for their results), and really ask iyong (the) laboratories, ‘Kaya ninyo ba o hindi?’('Can you do it or not?') Okay? We will do that po. Right after this briefing, we will take steps," he added.
Roque said he will give an update as soon as he gets answers from concerned authorities about the matter. He said the plight of displaced overseas Filipino workers remains among the foremost concerns of the President.
"Ang Presidente rin ay nagiging concerned na dito, dahil nga ang mga OFWs ay nawalan na ng trabaho, gusto nang makauwi, eh titingnan po natin kung paano mapapabilis iyan (The President is also getting concerned about this, because the OFWs lost their jobs and just want to return home. We will see how this can be hastened),” he said.
Roque made the remarks after some OFWs reportedly complained about the slow release of their coronavirus test results. The delay has reportedly prompted some Filipino repatriates to leave the quarantine centers pending their test results.
The government has required all returning OFWs to undergo a 14-day facility-based quarantine and a coronavirus test upon arrival in the country.