Capas, Tarlac Rejects OFWs Repatriated From Wuhan, China
TARLAC REJECTS OFWs FROM WUHAN – Filipinos from Wuhan, China were to be repatriated from the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.
Yesterday, the Department of Foreign affairs had arrived in Wuhan to begin preparations for the repatriation operation. There were a total of 45 Filipinos confirmed for the repatriation.
After the OFWs would arrive in the country, they would be put under mandatory quarantine in the Athlete’s Village of New Clark City. However, there may have been a miscommunication between the Department of Health and the Tarlac local government.
According to an article from Inquirer, the Capas municipal council held an emergency session regarding the use of the Athlete’s Village as the quarantine site.
After the session, all 11 members of a council approved a resolution objecting to the use of the facilities in New Clark City. The council said that it could create a stigma that would turn away investors in the area.
They emphasized that some of the housekeeping and utility personnel of the facility have a high chance of contracting the virus.
According to Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan, the DOH had failed to consult the municipal government about their plan. In addition, Catacutan said that the DOH must find an alternative quarantine site.
Meanwhile, the Capas Vice Mayor Roseller Rodriquez stated that the town’s residents were not prepared to face the quarantine of the OFWs from Wuhan, China and the potential spread of the virus.
Along with this, Rodriquez said the New Clark City was a project intended to be an investment site. The Vice Mayor added that DOH’s plan would scare away the investors.
In addition, Rodriguez said they would seek a temporary restraining order against DOH’s plan. But, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said: “only persons who would be brought to the quarantine facility are those who are healthy and asymptomatic”.
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