Repatriation of stranded Negrenses continues

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the repatriation of stranded Negrenses, both Overseas Filipino Workers and non-OFWs, will continue despite the fact that two repatriated OFWs tested positive for the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Precisely why we are subjecting them to quarantine as soon as they arrive in the province,” Lacson said.

But the governor said the provincial government will arrange the schedule of their repatriation.

Lacson also assured that the two Negrense OFWs who tested positive for COVID-19 remain in isolation at the EB Magalona Quarantine Center.

The two arrived with 33 other Negrense OFWs on April 14 from Cebu and were immediately brought to the quarantine center, Lacson said, adding that they had no time to go home or even mingle with their families.

The two OFWs are a 38-year-old male from Silay City, who arrived in the Philippines from the Netherlands on March 24; and a 50-year-old male from Candoni, who arrived in the country on March 17 from Finland.
The governor further said the repatriation of Negrenses, including OFWs, stranded in various parts of the country will continue depending on the availability of space at the provincial government’s quarantine facilities.

EB Magalona Quarantine Center can accommodate 200 persons while Mambukal can accommodate 115.

A total of 1,866 Negrenses, including those from Bacolod City, have registered for repatriation.

Lacson said the provincial government is prioritizing the return of non-Bacolod residents “as the numbers are just too much to cover everybody.”