President Rodrigo Duterte addressed the nation late last night, May 5. He addressed the local government units that are refusing to accept returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) within their area which he identifies as a constitutional illegality against the Bill of Rights. The president then ordered local government officials to help and accept all returning OFWs.
Duterte, along with his cabinet members, will study the safety of travel amid the pandemic. In the meantime, OFWs who were not allowed entrance into their provinces or cities will be given food and shelter from the government.
If the OFW has gone through testing that has been approved by the Department of Health (DOH), then the government must arrange for them to be able to enter the area. The president added that each OFW must be tested to prove that they are not a threat to the community.
There have been many reports on stranded OFWs since the lockdown was implemented. Around 265 Negrenses were stuck in their different areas due to travel restrictions and local border closures. 200 OFWs were also stranded at Clark airport. However, the local governments and the Department of Transportation and the National Task Force have already secured their travel home.
Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez will be prioritizing the OFWs who are stranded for them to go home immediately. The president addressed the city of Iloilo and their local government, who refused the return of around 100 OFWs, that they must allow them entrance.
According to him, the Department of Justice will also have to study the legality of sending healthcare workers abroad to work for other countries.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority President Dizon also reiterated the importance of mass testing, especially as many Filipinos live in close proximity to each other. He added that more laboratories for testing should be added. Currently, there are 20 laboratories that have been accredited for testing. The government is aiming to add 53 more by the end of May. More isolation facilities must also be added.
“Once na we have enough testing capacity, sabi nga po ni Secretary Duque at ni Secretary Galvez, mas magiging kampante po tayo na mag-ease ng restriction,” Dizon said.
He also reiterated the importance of wearing masks to prevent the spread of the virus. If spotted not wearing a mask, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will enforce their military powers.
“Ang batas is really to enforce it […] Whether you like it or not, the Armed Forces must come in to help enforce the measure that is intended to help the people and prevent the spread of COVID any further,” the president says.
President Duterte also said that the local government should take on the responsibility of tracing the contacts of those who have been infected by COVID-19 and tasked them to check their employees to ensure that no corruption is happening. He then warned the people about the New People’s Army (NPA) and how they may want to steal guns, justifying that this is why the police are allowed to kill.
“…Kayong mga sundalo ko pati mga pulis, ngayon na huwag kayong mag-kompyansa. Do not be too confident about it. Pati ‘yang istasyon na nire-raid. They will kill you. And I am telling you, kill them also,” he said.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque added that the president will be providing a P30,000 reward to those who report on corrupt local officials. The hotline to call is 8888. If the accusation is proven to be true, you will be rewarded.
Header photo courtesy of the Presidential Communications Operations Office
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