Bacolod: Capitol to refuse entry of seafarers set to arrive this week

Capitol to refuse entry of seafarers set to arrive this week
TERESA D. ELLERA April 27, 2020 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1854130

THE Provincial Government through Provincial Incident Management Team, PIMT signified its refusal to accept the arrival of 88 seafarers who are due to arrive in the province this week.

Dr. Jonathan Lobaton, Commander of the PIMT said the 88 Negrenses is part of the total 204 seafarers, including the 116 from Bacolod City who are returning back in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental based on the communication sent by the Maritime Industry Authority to the province and Bacolod City.

They are scheduled to arrive in two clusters, the first half is expected today, April 27 and the other half on April 30.

The seafarers are part of the two clusters to be sent back by Marina in Western Visayas with the first batch composed of 336 for the whole Western Visayas and the same number for the second batch.

However, Lobaton in a letter dated April 26 to Director Jose Roberto Nunez, Chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council- Western Visayas, stated the province's refusal to accept the said seafarers.

"We object for the following reasons: first we have accommodated the arrival of the 35 Overseas Filipino Workers last April 14. Despite that they have provided their Medical Certificate/ Bureau of Quarantine Certification, two of the OFWs were found positive of Covid=19. Fortunately we are able to have them isolated in our quarantine area, " Lobaton stated.

He also said that PDRRMC-VI was able to issue Resolution 12 stating that the said OFWs shall undergo Rapid PCR Test prior to departure from their immediate point of entry.

" Only those whose results are negative will be allowed to depart and be accepted in the region. The very reason why we only repatriate non-OFW". he further stated.

Lobaton added, "due to limited accommodation in the provincial quarantine facility, we schedule the arrival of our repatriates, prioritizing the non- OFW. Currently there are around 130 persons in the quarantine area manned 24/7 by our personnel thus the arrival of 88 seafarers will hamper our operation. Such action is a violation of the regional resolution on the Mandatory Covid-19 Tetsing of OFWs prior to transport to Western Visayas".

Lobaton also empahasized that in as much as the province wanted to have all its residents come home, we should consider protecting the health and safety of the people in the island.

"For the time being, they may stay in quarantine until we can allocate and schedule their return after they are able to comply their requirements," Lobaton added.