Send medical team to HK, assist OFWs amid COVID surge — Pacquiao

Patients wearing face masks lie in bed at a makeshift treatment area outside a hospital, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Hong Kong, China February 16, 2022. (Photo by ALEKSANDER SOLUMN / Reuters)

MANILA, Philippines — PROMDI presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao said he is willing to send a medical team to Hong Kong amid a new surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.

In a press briefing at his headquarters in Makati City, Pacquiao expressed concern over the situation and condition of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong, who in some cases, have been forced out on the streets when employers notice they show symptoms of infection from COVID-19.

Although the Philippine government has already announced that it is extending assistance to COVID-positive OFWs in the city, the People’s Champ said he is amenable with the suggestion of sending a medical team to provide them the needed medical support.

“If the Hong Kong government will allow it then we will send a team with a doctor para maasikaso ang ating mga kababayan doon at hindi lamang tutulungan dahil may sakit na COVID kundi maging sa anumang pangangailangan nilang medikal,” he pointed out.

“Nararapat lamang na ipakita ng ating pamahalaan ang pag-aaruga sa ating mga manggagawang naghihirap sa ibang bansa para maitaguyod nila ang kanilang pamilya ng maayos at mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan. Huwag nating kalimuytan na malaki ang inaambag nila sa ating bayan,” he said.

Pacquiao gave recognition to the enormous contributions of OFWs to the country with the local economy being kept afloat in recent years through dollar remittances from OFWs.

“Malaki ang natutulong nila (OFWs) sa ating ekonomitya at kung wala sila ay baka bumagsak na ang ating bansa sa matinding inflation at recession. Dapat ay ipinakita natin ang pag-aaruga sa kanila at pagmamahal,” he said.

/MUF