REP. BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Secretary-General, The Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc.
Deputy Speaker | Governor, Rotary Philippines RID3780
0917-729-2437 Twitter: @BHherrerady
May mga returning OFWs na higit 5 days na, di pa rin natetest; nabuburyong lang sa hotel
IATF MUST IMPROVE HOW OFWs ARE CARED FOR AT THE ISOLATION HOTELS
I ask the IATF, DOLE, and OWWA to please revisit and revise their current policies and procedures on OFWs and other Filipinos returning from overseas. While I understand that they are swamped with work and there is congestion in the RT-PCR testing pipeline because of the current second surge, still the OFWs deserve much better care.
First, the current rule on RT-PCR testing on the 5th day after arrival is not being consistently implemented. For example, I am aware of a group of OFWs who were isolated in a hotel but were tested after the 5th day and got their negative test results only today (9th day).
The government must bear all the costs of billeting at the hotels, as well as the food and other daily needs of those ROFs isolated at the hotels. The OFWs’ and other ROFs’ pocket money are for their families, not for expenses while staying at the hotels.
Once ROFs get their negative RT-PCR test results, they must be immediately escorted to their hometowns and all coordinated with the receiving LGUs. They should not be kept at the isolation hotels longer than necessary because that is both a direct injustice to the ROF and to the government because of the funds wasted for unnecessary hotel stay.
Saka paano kung sa part ng test provider (like Red Cross) nagkaroon ng glitch o anumang aberya na nagbunsod ng delay sa testing? Gobyerno pa rin ba ang sasagot sa hotel stay extension? Kasi definitely hindi dapat ipapasan sa ROF ang dagdag na gastos.
There seems to be inconsistency as regards who undertake the RT-PCR testing of ROFs. Some OFWs said or were told that their RT-PCR tests are by the Philippine Red Cross, but the National Task Force has been saying other testing facilities are doing the work, namely: Philippine Coast Guard; Bureau of Quarantine; Detoxicare; PADL; and PrimeCare. Is the PRC doing some of the work for the PCG and BOQ? Do we need to add more private testers to avoid backlog altogether?
Also, I’d like to know how the government determine which hotel our returning overseas Filipinos will be quarantined. Yung iba kasi 3 star hotel lang, yung iba sa 5 star hotel inilalagay. Gusto nating matiyak na maayos ang pinaglalagyan sa ating mga ROF at walang diskriminasyon kung domestic helper ka man o highly-paid professional.
Lastly, all ROFs in isolation hotels must be enabled to ascertain where their RT-PCR swab tests are. (END)
