Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) currently under mandatory quarantine have claimed that there have been delays in the isolation procedures done by the government, with some claiming that they are not yet released 14 days after the isolation, and others saying that they were tested only on the 14th day.
Amid the enhanced community quarantine, OFWs arriving to the Philippines are now required to undergo COVID-19 tests and mandatory isolation in one of the government’s quarantine facilities. They are asked to stay there for 14 days while waiting for the results of their tests.
Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA) had been tasked by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to provide free accommodation in hotels for arriving OFWs during their quarantine period. The task force also stated that under Resolution 14, OWWA is authorized to issue the certifications “it may deem appropriate to the concerned OFWs.”
However, some Filipinos who have been in the facility for 14 days or more claim that they still have not heard any advice from OWWA regarding the possibility of going home, and that there are conflicting answers regarding the matter.
Conflicting answers
UAE-based OFW Franklin Ramos, who arrived on April 22, told The Filipino Times that he and all the others at Club Balai Isabel—the hotel where he was assigned to undergo isolation—were tested for the disease only on his 14th day. He said the other OFWs who were tested alongside him have been in the facility for 18 days now.
The OFW, who is based in Tarlac, also claimed that OWWA initially said that they will issue certification and let them go once they test negative for the swab test. However, shortly after, he said the agency stressed that they cannot go home regardless of the result unless they have someone to pick them up.
Now, he said OWWA is saying that they will take the OFWs who are north bound to Dau Mabalacat Terminal in Pampanga.
However, he noted that when asked about the transportation, officials from the agency answered that they still haven’t arranged for the transfer—therefore, they cannot go home.
“Hindi consistent ang sinasabi ng OWWA. Paiba iba sila ng sinasabi. Ganyan po sila ka unorganized,” he told The Filipino Times.
Another UAE-based OFW Ryan Peralta, who has been in the hotel for 14 days now, said that when he asked an official from OWWA regarding updates on when they can go home should they test negative, they got no answer.
“If negative kami saka lang makukuha ang mga certificate na kailangan namin bago siguro kami pauwiin ng OWWA sa aming mga probinsiya,” said Peralta, who hails from Pangasinan.
OWWA asks for patience
In a statement, OWWA has asked for the understanding of OFWs currently under mandatory quarantine in the Philippines. It said that they are currently monitoring around 9,000 OFWs in 110 quarantine facilities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces—a reason there has been a delay in swab tests and transfer procedures.
OWWA also countered in its statement complaints of OFWs who have been under isolation for over 14 days, adding that 14 is just the minimum number of days assigned by the Department of Health for the mandatory quarantine.
“Batid po ng OWWA na marami sa inyo ang mahigit o lagpas na sa 14 days ang inilagi sa quarantine facility at labis na ang pananabik sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Ang labing–apat na araw po ay ang minimum na bilang ng araw na itinalaga ng DOH para sa mandatory quarantine upang obserbahan ang isang tao na maaring na-expose sa COVID-19 virus,” it said.
OWWA added that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now doing mass testing for all OFWs, and that additional swabbing centers will be put up to speed up the process.
The statement also said that the results will be available after three to four days, and that two certificates will be given to OFWs—a certificate of completion of the 14-day quarantine from OWWA, and a certificate of negative RT-PCR test results from PCG.
“Maging kalmado lang po and stay fit and healthy. Dapat po ay nasa mabuting kalagayan ang kalusugan at sentido po natin, bilang paghahanda sa pag-uwi po natin sa ating mga mahal sa buhay,” the agency’s statement said.
