ILOILO – A total of 110 recently repatriated Ilonggo overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon of the Provincial Health Office said the results of the OFWs’ reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests were released on Aug. 1.
These repatriated migrant workers waited for the results while on quarantine at three separate hotels in Iloilo City.
According to Quiñon, they were allowed to go home in their respective towns on Aug. 2 to complete a 14-day quarantine. Their respective local government units fetched the OFWs from the hotels.
The Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA) in Region 6 shouldered their expenses from hotel fees and swab test.
Here’s the breakdown of OFWs:
* Ajuy – one
* Alimodian – one
* Anilao – two
* Badiangan – two
* Balasan – one
* Banate – two
* Barotac Nuevo – five
* Barotac Viejo – one
* Batad – three
* Bingawan – one
* Cabatuan – six
* Calinog – two
* Carles – three
* Dingle – two
* Duenas – one
* Dumangas – three
* Estancia – one
* Guimbal – one
* Janiuay – seven
* Lambunao – one
* Leganes – three
* Lemery – two
* Leon – four
* Maasin – one
* Miag-ao – one
* Mina – one
* New Lucena – one
* Oton – six
* Passi City – five
* Pavia – 12
* Pototan – six
* San Enrique – one
* San Joaquin – one
* San Miguel – two
* Sara – two
* Sta. Barbara – seven
* Tigbauan – four
* Tubungan – two
* Zarraga – three
Concepcion, Igbaras, San Dionisio, and San Rafael were the only towns in the province that don’t have repatriated OFWs from this batch.
As of July 28, there were 8,620 overseas migrant workers repatriated to Region 6, data from the Western Visayas Regional Task Force (RTF) on COVID-19 showed.
Of the 8,620, 1, 147 were from Iloilo City; 1,335 from Bacolod City; 1,147 from Aklan; 880 from Antique; 1,285 from Capiz; 361 from Guimaras; 1, 885 from Iloilo; and 580 from Negros Occidental.
These were the three requirements for repatriation:
The testing of returning OFWs was a requirement set by the RTF in resolutions No. 12, 13 and 14.
1. OFWs must have undergone RT-PCR test with negative result conducted within seven days prior to boarding.
2. OFWs must have certification that they have finished a 14-day quarantine.
3. OFWs must have medical certificates that they are asymptomatic and are in good health condition./PN
