Negros Occidental-bound Overseas Filipino Workers can go home straight and not be subjected to RT-PCR tests upon arrival at the Bacolod-Silay airport.
The order was given by National Task Force COVID-19 chief Delfin Lorenzana in his letter to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson. Lorenzana said that inbound ROFs were already subjected to RT-PCR test in Manila.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, however, said they will accommodate request for swab test from ROFs who wants it upon their arrival at the airport.
In his letter to Lacson, Lorenzana said that about 100,000 OFWs all over the country are returning home to spend the yuletide season with their families. On the contrary, Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) are required to undergo swab testing upon their arrival.
The Regional Inter Agency Task Force has already approved the requests of 17 local government units in the province, including Sipalay City, Valladolid, Moises Padilla, Candoni, La Castellana, Hinobaan, Bacolod City, Cauayan, Calatrava, Victorias City, Himamaylan City, Pontevedra, cities of Sagay, La Carlota and Bago, Ilog and the province of Negros Occidental, for a moratorium on the arrival of LSIs in their respective areas, as early as Nov. 26 up to Jan. 5 next year.
However, said that ROFs are not covered by the moratorium and there are LGUs that still accept LSIs in their communities.
Daily flights will continue, except for Dec. 24 and 25, as well as Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 next year. But Diaz said that the request for additional flights was not granted by Gov. Lacson.
For LSIs affected by the moratoriums in their respective LGUs, Diaz advised them to make arrangements, either come home before the ban is implemented, or go home when it is lifted. –GB
