At least 4,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) initially bound for Hong Kong are stranded in the Philippines due to the rising cases driven by Omicron surge in the Chinese territory.
“Mayroon na silang mga exit pass na prinoseso na ng POEA, ‘yung mga may ticket na at mayroon na ring mga naka-book na quarantine rooms. May mga OFW tayo na dapat ay lilipad na ay inabutan na ng expiration ng kanilang mga visa,” Dolly Uanang told GMA News.
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Uanang is the president of the Society of Hong Kong Accredited Recruiters of the Philippines (SHARP).
“’Yung mga OEC nila o exit pass nila galing sa POEA ay hindi naman apektado ‘yun dahil kahit three months ang validity noon pwede pa naman nila gamitin ‘yun. Ang problema, ‘yung mga visa nila doon sa Hong Kong ay nagsisimula nang mag-expire,” Uanang added.
Uanang said that they have yet to receive reports of Filipinos infected by COVID-19.
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“So far, wala pa naman tayong mga kababayan na affected, I mean sa hanay namin sa SHARP. ‘Yung aming mga pinaalis na OFW, wala pa naman kaming feedback na nakukuha na nagkaroon ng Omicron COVID infection. So far, wala naman. Pinag-iingat parin namin sila,” she said.
The Department of Health has yet to issue any travel restrictions from Hong Kong travelers.
“Well, depende ‘yan sa gobyerno ng Hong Kong kung sila mismo tingin nila ay dapat magsara sila or mag-adopt sila ng protocols nila rerespetuhin natin yon. So far, wala pa sa usapan iyan,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.
