Defiant repatriated OFWs told to return to ship

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Some of the 45 Negrense overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who arrived here Wednesday via a Malasakit voyage of 2GO were told to board back the vessel after they initially refused to be brought to the quarantine center in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental.

“There were some initial resistance,” Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in a press conference Wednesday morning at the provincial capitol.

Lacson said some of the returning OFWs wanted to go home directly sans undergoing quarantine procedure.

“So we told them to return to the vessel if they will not follow health protocols, Lacson added.

He added that he understands the OFWs’ feelings but “this is also for their own good and for the safety of everyone.”

Earlier Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head Zeaphard Caelian reported that upon arrival at the Bredco port, some of the OFWs refused to be brought to the Provincial Healing Center in EB Magalona and instead demanded to be brought straight to hotels or inns.

Some even demanded to be brought to their homes.

Caelian said he explained to the OFWs that they would only be brought to the Provincial Healing Center for orientation and testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

After the processing, they would immediately be cleared for transfer to hotels or inns which were provided by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Based on the provincial government’s health protocols, all individuals originating from areas under enhanced community quarantine must undergo 14-day quarantine at the provincial government’s designated quarantine facilities.

Lacson said he understands that the OFWs have already been quarantined before and were just eager to go home.

But he pointed out they have to strictly follow protocols.

“I could assured them once they are cleared they would billeted to their respective hotels,” Lacson said.

A total of 77 OFWs were aboard M/V St. Leo the Great which arrived Wednesday morning at the Bredco port.

Apart from the 45 Negrense OFWs, the remaining 32 OFWs are from Bacolod City.