LUISSE RUTAO/ Pampanga PIO
Clark City, Pampanga- The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases chaired by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III lauded Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda for his proposal to help out returning Kapampangan overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who will land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
During the send-off ceremony of the 337 OFW seafarers of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship on Tuesday, June 9, at the Quest Hotel here, Governor Pineda disclosed that the provincial government is willing to help and accommodate all returning Kapampangan OFWs in the future.
“We’ve talk to Secretary Galvez and Secretary Año, pinayagan na nila tayo na ang mga Kapampangan na mag-laland sa Metro Manila ay pwede na natin kunin directly from the airport. So, lahat ng Kapampangan na mula ibang bansa at mag-babalik probinsya, tayo na po ang mag-aasikaso sa kanila,” Governor Pineda said.
According to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año, the proposal of Governor Pineda would be a ‘milestone’ for the government if the plan pushes through.
“This (proposal) would be a milestone if masisimulan na natin. Ang ating mga LGU (local government unit) parang magiging local manning agency sila and we encourage that, that is really highly commendable para mas mapabilis ang sistema natin particularly in Luzon, “ Año stated.
Likewise, Undersecretary Cesar Yano of the National Defense, designated task group head of returning OFWs,
commended the proposal of Governor Pineda.
He said, the proposal to decentralize the handling of returning OFWs to the local government would be a ‘welcome development’ to help decongest Metro Manila.
“Yung proposal ni Governor Pineda is a welcome development, sabi nga sa usapan kanina with Secretary Año, that would be the way forward. This will surely be a very good development because it will unburden Metro Manila,“ he said.
Governor Pineda meanwhile assured that the OFWs will be housed in the quarantine facilities in the province until their reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results are released.
“Ihahouse natin sila sa ating mga isolation facilities. We’ll provide clothing and meals, and we’ll make sure to swab them within 2-3 days para maka-uwi sila agad,“ he pledged.
Governor Pineda added that the province will facilitate the accommodation, swabbing, laboratory tests of the returning OFWs.
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