DOLE chief wants old testing protocols back, citing depleting gov’t funds

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has proposed returning the old quarantine and testing protocols where inbound overseas Filipinos are tested for COVID-19 upon arrival at the airport, citing government’s dwindling resources.

In a pre-recorded meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, Bello said overseas Filipinos are complaining about their length of stay in quarantine facilities due to the recent protocol requiring them to only get tested on the fifth day of their isolation.

READ: Gov’t requires all inbound passengers to get tested on 5th day of quarantine

“Kami po nakikiusap sana Mr. President, kung maaari, we go back to the original protocol. Na pagdating ng ating mga OFWs, swab agad sila then they are quarantined for 5 days while waiting for results of the PCR test. Kapag negative sila, they can be transported to their final destination,” Bello said.

(We are appealing Mr. President, if possible, we go back to the original protocol where OFWs are tested upon arrival then quarantined for five days while waiting for results of the PCR test. When they turn out negative, they can be transported to their final destination.)

“Kasi aside from the economic consideration, these OFWs have long missed their homes. Ang tagal nila abroad, kumikita, naghihirap para sa pamilya nila, ngayon inuwi natin sila and they have to stay for almost 14 days in quarantine. Notwithstanding the fact that after 5 days, they’ve been found to be negative,” he added.

(Aside from economic consideration, these OFWs have long missed their homes. They stay for a long time abroad, earning for their families. And when they come home, they have to stay for almost 14 days in quarantine. Notwithstanding the fact that after 5 days, they’ve been found to be negative.)

Bello noted that the COVID-19 positivity rate of arriving overseas Filipinos is only at 2.07 percent in 2020 and 1.5 percent so far this 2021.

JE