Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27) — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved billions of pesos in additional funding for the repatriation and quarantine expenses of overseas Filipino workers, the Palace said Thursday.
“Ito ay mismong kinumpirma ni (Labor) Secretary Silvestre Bello,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque during his regular briefing. “At ito po’y pambayad sa mga hotels dahil nga sa mas mahabang quarantine na nire-require natin sa mga bumabalik na OFW.”
[Translation: Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello confirmed this himself. The budget will be used to pay hotels given the longer quarantine period we require returning OFWs to undergo.]
Bello made the confirmation yesterday, noting that the President has given the go signal for Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado’s recommended additional funding for the agency. Avisado told CNN Philippines the approved budget is ₱5.211 billion.
“Naiipit na rin tayo, marami tayong hotels diyan ayaw na tumanggap ng mga OFWs dahil nabinbin ang ating mga obligation,” said the Labor chief.
[Translation: We’re really in a bind because many hotels don’t want to accept OFWs anymore because our obligations have been piling up.]
According to guidelines of the government’s inter-agency pandemic task force, OFWs must stay in a government accredited facility for ten days even if they test negative for COVID-19. They may continue their 14-day isolation at home or in a hotel of their choice.
Bello also reported that around 556,000 OFWs have already been repatriated since the start of the health crisis.
“Tiyak matutuwa na naman ang mga paborito mong OFW dahil marami na namang makakatanggap ng benepisyo,” said Bello of Duterte’s approval of more funds for the overseas workers.
[Translation: For sure, your favorite OFWs will be delighted once more because they will again be receiving benefits.]
CNN Philippines correspondent Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.
