Quarantined Filipinos in Clark sent off – Palace
The Palace, on June 9, reported that hundreds of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who arrived at the Clark International Airport were sent-off earlier this morning to their hometowns after yielding negative result from their RT-PCR tests.
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque, who attended the sent-off ceremony in Clark, Pampanga, said the OFWs came from United Arab Emirates, Barbados, and Vancouver, Canada. “Sila po ngayon ay pauwi na sa kani-kanilang probinsiya.”
The OFWs received free RT-PCR testing, free hotel stay in Clark while waiting for their COVID-19 test results and free transportation to their respective provinces.
“Mayroon pong magbu-bus. Mayroon pong lilipad galing po sa Clark International Airport papuntang Cebu,” said Sec. Roque saying all OFWs had already received their health certificates from the Bureau of Quarantine.
The President’s spokesman, in the same press briefing, reported that healthcare workers who were severely affected by COVID-19 and the families of those who died because of the disease, have started to receive the compensation benefits that were accorded to them through Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte earlier instructed the Department of Health to complete the distribution of the said compensation benefits, after learning last week that none of the affected healthcare workers and their families have received the compensation.
“Sa mga namatayan, 26 out of 30 families na po ang nakatanggap ng kanilang kompensasyon na one million pesos. Ang apat ay naghihintay ng Special Power of Attorney. Dalawa rito ay nasa abroad. Dalawa po ay delisted, hindi po sila eligible para mabigyan ng compensation,” said Secretary Roque.
Meanwhile, 17 out of 18 healthcare workers who contracted a severe form of the disease, have already claimed the PhP 100,000 compensation benefit for them. Only one healthcare worker has yet to claim a check.
According to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, one of the special powers granted to the President by the law is to provide compensation of PhP 100,000 to healthcare workers who contract severe COVID-19 infection while in the line of duty. While a compensation of PhP 1 million will be given to healthcare workers who will die while fighting COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Secretary Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry presented the list of industries that are not allowed in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) but are partially allowed in modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) areas.
Secretary Lopez said that in GCQ areas, only non-contact outdoor sports and fitness activities are allowed. While in MGCQ areas, gyms, fitness studios, and sports facilities, both for outdoor and indoor sports, non-contact sports, and other forms of exercise are allowed up to 50 percent operational capacity.
Other industries not allowed in GCQ but partially allowed in MGCQ up to 50 percent operational capacity are: kid amusement industries; libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers; tourist destinations; travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service, and related activities; other personal care services like massage parlors, sauna, facial care, waxing, etc.; pet grooming services; internet and computer shops, but only for work or educational purposes; and other education and educational support establishments such as but not limited to: testing centers, tutorial and review centers, and language, driving, and dance, acting, and voice schools.(OPS-PCOO)
