By Christine Fabro
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia has deferred to the quarantine protocols implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for inbound international travellers including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) on Tuesday (June 22).
The Cebu government has implemented swab-upon-arrival policy under an executive order on OFW testing and quarantine.
However, Garcia announced in a Facebook live on June 22 that the ordinance is being set aside in deference to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to strictly implement the IATF guidelines on all ports of entry in the Philippines.
“Allow me to thank Pres. Duterte for recognizing the wisdom of my plea that gives human consideration to the OFWs and ROFs who come home mostly not for leisure, but for the greater majority of them, they come home for family emergencies,” she said.
Fees for an additional 10-day stay of OFWs and ROFs at accredited quarantine facilities will be covered by the national government.
The swab-upon-arrival policy will remain effective, as the governor believes that this “gives better control to those who arrived already testing positive”.
A group of lawyers filed a petition on Monday (June 21) to determine whether Cebu government shall abide by the guidelines imposed by the national IATF or the provincial board ordinance.
In response, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a public briefing that the governor’s move was from a humanitarian perspective on the plight of the OFWs.
“The President understands na ‘yung ginawa ni Gov. Garcia is a form of innovation. Nagkaroon sila ng problema, initially, dahil kulang ang kanilang mga hotel rooms,” Roque said. – rir
