MANILA CITY- Transportation Undersecretary Raul Del Rosario said the Kapampangan repatriates are fortunate the provincial government is the first LGU to assist returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
The provincial government is currently assisting returning Filipinos from the airport back to Pampanga amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.
According to Usec Del Rosario, other Local Government Units (LGU) can also replicate the “initiative” started by the Pampanga government to help the national government decongest the volume of repatriates arriving in Metro Manila.
“Ginagawa po natin ito, baka sakaling ang ibang LGUs ay sumunod. Magtulungan tayo, ang gobyerno at LGUs para sa tama at maayos na pagsalubong sa mga ika nga nating heroes,” he said.
During the final orientation and ocular visit of the designated employees of the provincial government for the “Balik Pinas, Balik Pampanga Program” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) here, Del Rosario expressed his delight for the upcoming Kapampangan ROFs and OFWs.
“Napakaswerte niyo po, pag-dating niyo pa lang aalagaan na kayo ng inyong probinsya. Bibigyan kayo ng magandang accommodation para maayos kayong makabalik sa inyong mga destinasyon,” Del Rosario told the ROFs and OFWs.
To date, Rosario revealed that the airport has already welcomed around 60,000 repatriates including OFWs and non- OFWs during the wake of the pandemic.
Angelina Blanco, one of the chief implementers of the program, meanwhile assured that accommodation and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided to all the staff who will be assigned at NAIA.
“The safety of our staff is also one of our priorities. Governor Delta provided them with all the necessary gear that they need. We will also give free anti-flu vaccines to all volunteers before they will be deployed in their assigned posts, she explained.”
At least 58 staff from the provincial government are expected to assist the Kapampangan ROFs, who will be swabbed and quarantined at the COVID-19 facilities in the province starting July 7, this year.