Stranded Negrense OFWs to be repatriated via Cebu

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is coordinating with Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia to allow repatriated Negrenses overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to pass through Cebu in returning to Negros.

Zeaphard Caelian, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said Monday that the provincial government is coordinating as well with the Office of Civil Defense in Region 7.

Caelian, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang were the panelist in the last day of a Facebook live broadcast on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) updates of the provincial government.

Caelian said the next batch of Negrense OFWs are from Cebu.

The repatriated Negrenses will board a RORO vessel at the Tabuelan port in Cebu and enter the province through the port of Escalante City in northern Negros.

Caellian said they have coordinated with the mayors of Tabuelan and Escalante City for the passage of the repatriated Negrenses.

“We are preparing for a trip for you,” Caelian said.

He also advised the Negrense OFWs to submit in advance their health certificates and results of their COVID-19 rapid test.

Caelian also confirmed that the 27 OFWs housed at the Provincial Healing Center in EB Magalona town are preparing to be transferred to the Go Hotel to continue their quarantine.

He said the provincial government has to complete first the document agreement with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the hotel for the housing of the OFWs.

Caelian said as of Monday, 1,614 OFWs and non-OFWs have registered in the provincial website for repatriation.