AFP/Ted Aljibe
Senators have advised the Inter-Agency Task Force to find middle ground that will enable OFWS to come home despite the ongoing pandemic.
As per Sen. Panfilo Lacson, even “little adjustments” made by the coronavirus task force can already make a big difference to our modern-day heroes who just long to go home to their families.
Such statement comes after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued executive orders allowing OFWS to be swabbed upon arrival and allowed to go home if test results turn out negative. The reason behind Garcia’s move is also because Cebu is experiencing shortage of rooms and quarantine facilities.
It can be noted though that these returning OFWs are required to have a second swab test on the seventh day from when they arrived.
Stating that the country cannot be too stiff and stringent, Lacson is pushing for a middle ground because there are certain situations which call for flexibility.
Lacson cited the case of a returning office employee who was instructed to spend six nights at a hotel, along with other balikbayans, at the cost of P10,000 per night. He pointed out that this person has to spend a small fortune when he could be safer by undergoing isolation at home.
He went on to explain the adaptability displayed by the Cebu provincial government by carrying out its own policies, with the conclusion that such rules have saved balikbayans from inconvenience and monetary burden.
