Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Thursday updated policies of the government under the new IATF resolution including essential outbound travel guidelines, bilateral labor agreements, and SONA.
Based on IATF Resolution No. 57, the essential outbound travel of Filipinos are subject to the following conditions:
– Execution of a Bureau of Immigration Declaration acknowledging the risks involved in traveling and of delay on return trip; and
– Upon return, shall follow the Guidelines of Returning Overseas Filipinos of the NTF
Regarding the welfare of OFWs abroad, the resolution stated that the “IATF supports the efforts of the DOLE and POEA to negotiate the terms of existing Bilateral Labor Agreements.”
As for the upcoming State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the IATF “strongly reiterates” the prohibition on mass gatherings for areas under GCQ. The Bayanihan 2 bill is expected to be certified as urgent by the Chief Executive.
Roque also said the DSWD can improve the distribution of the second tranche of SAP.
Meanwhile, Roque responded to the statement of experts from UP claiming the government failed in its response to the COVID-19 situation.
“Tinatanggap natin ang lahat ng reaksyon, lalo na ng aking mga kasama sa eskwela sa UP… Iimbitahan ko na lang itong tatlong nagsalita, para tumulong po sa IATF, nang sa ganoon hindi na nila masabi na failure tayo (We accept all reactions, especially those coming from my colleagues in UP. I shall invite the three who spoke up to join us to help the IATF, so they will not say that we’re a failure).”
– Report from Mela Lesmoras
