President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday expressed his apprehension over the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) proposal of shortening the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Duterte said in a meeting with his Cabinet and medical experts that he is “uncomfortable” with the suggested relaxation of quarantine protocols for returning OFWs.
“Unless also there is something more than just what I am hearing now and previously, I must also be convinced that it is really, medyo ano ako, I am not quite comfortable with the relaxation that’s being brought about now,” Duterte said.
During the pre-recorded meeting with the President, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III let out frustration over the “heavy burden” caused by the current quarantine rules imposed on returning OFWs.
The labor secretary then proposed to impose the “original” rule that permits OFWs to be transported to their “final destination” without finishing the 14-day mandated quarantine, so long as they test negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Gusto ko pong iparating ang kalagayan ng ating OFWs. Talagang hirap na hirap po sila. They are crying,” he said.
Duterte said he understands Bello’s qualms because the government’s funds for OFWs are already diminishing.
“Maliit na yung pera. He (Bello) is raising the alarm. He’s raising the alarm of possibility of having no more funds to take care of this kind of situation that we have now),” said Duterte.
However, Duterte agreed with the medical experts’ suggestion, saying he is “not ready” to compromise the health of Filipinos.
“I cannot compromise. There is no compromise. Hindi ako magko-compromise. It’s just an off-the-cuff statement before I make the final decision. I’m not ready for a compromise, lalo na ngayon,” he said.
