Some groups representing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are urging the Philippines government to lift strict health protocols for returning OFWs, especially for those who were already fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
During the hearing conducted by the Lower House Committee on OFW Affairs, they chided the Department of Health for failing to rectify “unreasonable” protocols for fully vaccinated returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) who are still required to undergo 10 to 14 days quarantine.
The groups said the national government should look at the policy of Cebu Province for OFW quarantine and testing.
The current national policy states that returning OFWs should be subjected to a 14-day mandatory quarantine, 10 days in a facility and 4 days at home. They will be tested on the seventh day.
Meanwhile, in Cebu, arriving OFWs will be tested upon arrival and will be allowed to be sent home if they tested negative for the virus.
However, the Palace earlier ordered Cebu flights to be diverted to Manila due to the supposed failure of Cebu to follow the ‘one nation’ policy of the IATF. Aside from the daily passenger cap at NAIA, the flight diversion has placed airlines to cancel flights.
“Why can’t they apply that also to ordinary OFWs when we are referring to the same science?” OFW advocate Susan Ople said in the hearing.
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia earlier said: “But we are observing science-based and data verified protocols. We are, in fact, mindful of the safety and security of ROFs, but we apply the humane aspects based on the present IATF guidelines.”
