Travel ban likely in effect for 2 weeks

In a press conference, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said President Duterte approved the recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH) during the

Cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening to ensure the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

This, despite the position of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which Bello supported, to exempt OFWs from the ban since it may lead to their retrenchment.

In the end, Duterte sided with the position of Health Secretary Franciso T. Duque III, who said the government cannot “gamble on the health of our workers.”

“He [Duque] recommended that we allow a period of two weeks and observe the situation, and then probably allow them [OFWs] to leave if the situation improves,” Bello said.

The labor chief said Duterte, upon the recommendation of DOH, will have the final say whether to lift or extend the travel ban.

Chinese govt commitment CABIneT Secretary Karlo B. nograles said among the factors

“He [Duque] recommended that we allow a period of two weeks and observe the situation, and then probably allow them [OFWs] to leave if the situation improves.” —Bello

which could affect Duterte’s decision on the matter will be an official commitment from the Chinese officials to safeguard the welfare of OFWs bound for China, Hong Kong and Macau.

“The Chinese officials are saying they will guarantee the health and safety of the workers, but it has not been stated publicly yet. It was just a private exchange to [Foreign Affairs] Secretary [Teodoro]

Locsin, himself, so let’s await developments,” nograles said.

nograles said Duterte would likely be more comfortable in lifting the travel ban for OFWs with a firm guarantee from the Chinese government.

He said Locsin is already communicating with the Chinese on the matter.

The two-week period started on February 2, when Malacañang announced the enforcement of the travel ban.

The ban stopped non-Filipino travelers coming from China, Hong Kong and Macau from entering the country, and at the same time all Filipinos from traveling to these places.

Potential displacement

SInCe the imposition of the travel ban, Bello said at least 600 OFWs, who are mostly balik manggagawa or vacationing OFWs, have been affected by it.

He said the OFWs have already availed themselves of the P10,000 cash assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The Society of Hong Kong Accredited Recruiters of the Philippines (SHARP) has appealed to the Philippine Overseas employment Administration (POeA) to allow the resumption of the deployment of OFWs, particularly for Hong Kong.

“They are going to work, and their families are heavily banking on their earnings/remittances for their financial needs.