Manila Bulletin
Bello: DOH may decide if OFWs can return to Hong Kong, Macau
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III stated that the decision on whether Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can return to Hong Kong and Macau rests with the Department of Health (DOH).
Bello is awaiting advice from Health Secretary Duque regarding the timeline for OFWs to travel back, citing Duque's expertise on the coronavirus situation.
The labor department is coordinating closely with the DOH on this matter.
OFWs affected by the travel ban due to the novel coronavirus outbreak have been provided with P10,000 financial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Around 300 OFWs, primarily bound for Hong Kong and Macau, were stranded at airports following the travel ban imposed by President Duterte.
Previously, Bello advocated for OFW exemption from the travel ban and supported DFA Secretary Locsin's stance, while Health Secretary Duque advised caution.
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The Philippine government, through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), will provide assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the temporary travel ban on China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
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The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has extended P35 million to 3,500 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the travel ban due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
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President Rodrigo Duterte expanded a travel ban to include all individuals arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, or those who have visited these areas within the last 14 days, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
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An eight-man team from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Health (DOH) has flown to Wuhan, China to facilitate the repatriation of Filipinos from the coronavirus epicenter.
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The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) anticipates distributing P10,000 in financial assistance this week to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) bound for Taiwan who are affected by the travel ban.
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