OWWA’S dilemma

When a novel coronavirus epidemic unleashed its fury in China in December, the world had little inkling of how much harm the new virus could inflict. At the time, it was called a “mystery disease” as there was little information about the virus that causes Covid-19. While the world shook off its hangover from parties to welcome the New Year, the virus had started to infect hundreds, if not thousands, of Wuhan residents.

Three months after its discovery was reported, Covid-19’s spread to other countries showed the world the potency of a virus that is invisible to the naked eye. Nations that had to impose lockdowns faced the threat of an economic collapse, and even rich countries with good health-care systems were almost overwhelmed by the virus. Because the virus could not be defeated if people would come together, leisure and tourism activities were banned.

As many parts of the world were at a standstill for weeks and businesses were closed, millions of workers lost their jobs. The closure of tourist spots, hotels and restaurants, and the grounding of airlines to comply with social distancing requirements also dealt a blow to many overseas Filipino workers (OFWS). Those who had the means were able to come home immediately, but for many others, they had to rely on the government’s repatriation program.

Government agencies, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), responded swiftly to the call to repatriate the affected OFWS. However, the OFWS were not allowed to go home immediately because of the government’s health protocol. They had to be tested and quarantined to ensure that they do not spread Covid-19.

Unfortunately, the delay in the release of test results made it difficult for the OFWS to leave the quarantine sites and go back to their families. The agonizing wait for the release of their swab results from the Department of Health (DOH) prompted OFWS to stay longer than necessary in quarantine sites. The prolonged stay resulted in a bigger bill for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), one of the agencies tasked to assist stranded OFWS.

OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said his agency has spent more than P380 million for the food, transportation and accommodation of stranded OFWS in Luzon due to the lockdown measures. The agency is also shelling out more money for a livelihood assistance program dubbed “Balik Pilipinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” (See, “OFWS affected by pandemic to get P700 million OWWA cash aid,” in the Businessmirror, May 27, 2020). It is likely that the agency will need more funds as the Department of Labor and Employment reported that nearly 100,000 OFWS are still stranded in other countries (See “100K OFWS stranded, overseas jobs dim,” in the Businessmirror, June 1, 2020).

The President has ordered all government agencies to work together and coordinate efforts to assist the stranded Ofws—our modern-day heroes. OWWA and the DFA cannot do it alone; other agencies, such as the DOH, must find a way to speed up their systems and processes. Delays would mean more money—sourced from taxpayers—flowing out of OWWA for the hotel and food bills of the stranded OFWS.