By Mario Casayuran  Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go asked on Tuesday affected overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and returning Filipinos from China to abide by the 14-day quarantine protocol that the government imposes to prevent the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019 n-CoV ARD) in the country. Senator Christopher "Bong" Go
(PRIB Photo by Cesar Tomambo /MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Go, Senate health committee chairman, asked them to heed the protocol because that is what the people want and that the government has decided to have a temporary travel ban, and for the Filipino citizens who are coming home, they need to be quarantined. The senator from Davao was reacting to reports that some OFWs were opposed to quarantine policies. ‘’Your health is at stake here. Rest assured that the government and President Duterte prioritize the interest, health and the welfare of all Filipinos,’’ he said. The day before, Go released a statement confirming President Duterte’s decision to expand the temporary travel ban to all flights between the Philippines and China, including its Special Administrative Regions. The Philippine government previously imposed a ban only on flights from and to Hubei Province, where Wuhan City, the place where the 2019-nCoV ARD emerged, is located. The ban covers all travelers and not only Chinese nationals. Filipinos and holders of Permanent Resident Visa, meanwhile, are allowed to return to the country, but they will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine period upon arrival. Go also said that the government would address the complaints of foreigners affected by the ban. “The government has solutions to make. There will be complaints and we cannot avoid it,’’ he added. For OFWs who are in the country for a vacation and need to go back to China to finish their contracts, Go said that the relevant government agencies would assist them. “The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will address that issue and, of course, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) too,” he added. Meanwhile, Go extended help to 73 families, comprising of 255 individuals, affected by a fire that occurred on January 25 after midnight at 2940 Park Avenue Extension in Barangay 79, Zone 10, Pasay City. Aside from the financial assistance and food, Go also offered to pay for the uniforms and school supplies of the affected students and the expenses of those who need to undergo medical operations. The fire victims, who were gathered at the Cuneta Elementary School, also received financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP). The National Housing Authority (NHA) gave them housing materials assistance and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provided livelihood assistance. Go said that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) would also visit the victims to provide additional assistance.