Philippine News Agency
Return of 100 OFWs to Iloilo ‘stopped’
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas criticized the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for protocol lapses after a repatriated OFW tested positive for COVID-19.
The 44-year-old OFW, who arrived on April 9, 2020, was asymptomatic and later confirmed as the 40th case in Western Visayas, potentially exposing 90 individuals.
In response, Mayor Treñas, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., and 42 town mayors decided to no longer allow the passage of arriving OFWs into Iloilo City.
Consequently, the travel of 100 OFWs scheduled for April 14, 2020, from Manila to Iloilo was stopped by the Office of the Civil Defense in Western Visayas.
Governor Defensor cited concerns about increasing COVID-19 cases, risks to families, and the extension of the enhanced community quarantine as reasons for stopping the OFWs' return.
OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac apologized for any protocol imperfections and affirmed that the OFWs had cleared a 14-day quarantine in Cebu.
OWWA assured it would continue to assist stranded OFWs, having already helped around 10,000.
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The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has directed all local government units (LGUs) to permit maritime vessels carrying Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to dock and allow the disembarkation of these workers.
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The Philippine government is preparing to repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 13,000 already brought home as of April 15, 2020.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) continue to facilitate the repatriation of overseas Filipinos affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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