Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte wants to join Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in receiving the Filipinos repatriated from China as they are set to arrive in the country on Saturday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said.
However, Nograles said the final decision on whether the President will join Duque depends on the recommendation of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).
“He wants to be there, but there’s still a discussion. I’m sure that’s going to be a debate between the President and the PSG and the PMS,” Nograles said in an interview with reporters in Malacañang.
Nograles said about 40 Filipinos from China are expected to arrive in the country Saturday following the outbreak of the deadly 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo earlier said the initial batch to be repatriated will arrive at Clark Airport before being transported to Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija for the mandatory 14-day quarantine as recommended by the DOH.
“When we bring the repatriated Filipinos back home, the President directed the Secretary of Health, Secretary Duque, to be there, to receive the repatriated Filipinos,” Nograles said.
“But of course he will be in protective personal equipment. Naka protective gear siya and he will just supervise and manage the transportation, ensure na maganda yung pagreceive sa mga kababayan nating mga Pilipino and their transportation to Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija,” he added.
(But of course he will be in protective personal equipment. He will wear protective gear and he will just supervise, manage the transportation and ensure the proper receiving the returning Filipinos to Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.)
Nograles also allayed fears of Nueva Ecija residents where the quarantine site is located, saying extensive protocols and measures are set in place.
“Dapat wag silang matakot at mag-abala kasi doon nga yung pinaka-safe, ‘yung highest quarantine level ang i-impose doon. So all quarantine measures will be at its highest there. Hindi yan basta basta pwedeng pasukan. Hindi yan basta basta pwedeng lumabas ka doon,” Nograles said.
(They should not worry because that is the safest place, with the highest quarantine level that will be imposed in the area. It’s a place where you can just walk in and out of the area.)