Free swab tests for OFWs, ROFs at MCIA

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Department of Health (DOH-7) in partnership with Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) and Project Balik Buhay (PBB) officially launched free swab tests to Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) international arrival area with 11 testing booths currently available.

DOH-7 chief pathologist and spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche said that the free swabbing and rt-PCR testing for all OFWs and returning residents arrivals on international flights at MCIA started on March 31 to unburden the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) and to minimize their expenses.

Dr. Loreche said that a team from DOH-7 is assigned at the airport to conduct testing for arriving passengers.  As of April 2, the team has taken 1,061 swab tests; of this number, 243 were swabbed on while 364 were swabbed on April 1, and 499 on April 2.  The results of the swab tests are released within 24 to 48 hours.

She added that once the passenger will test negative, they can return home likewise if they test positive, they will be turned over to the local government unit (LGUs) Temporary Treatment Mega Facility and Isolation Facility.

DOH-7 is also seeking sponsorship for test kits and consumables from the private sector so they could attain ‘operational sustainability,’ Loreche said.

The Lapu-Lapu City government also seeks a similar service for domestic arrivals. “Mayor Ahong (Chan) of Lapu-Lapu City submitted letter of request for domestic arrivals but we will have to meet with our team to discuss this,” said Dr. Loreche.

OPAV secretary Michael Dino on the other hand said that this move is in response to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the fast-tracking of the testing and the release of results for the OFWs and returning residents.

Dino added that this will allow OFWs and returning residents to be able to go home quickly instead of spending time longer at the quarantine facilities which Senator Bong Go welcomed this directive.

Go has continuously made efforts to take care of OFWs and he has proposed the establishment of a separate department for OFWS, an urgent need highlighted amid the pandemic.  So far, nearly half a million OFWs have been repatriated to the Philippines due to the pandemic.

Go filed Senate Bill No. 1949 or Department of Overseas Filipinos (DOFil) Act of 2020, which aims to address bureaucratic barriers to make delivery of services more efficient and responsive for OFWs, other Filipinos overseas and their families.

Testing returning residents would also help lower cases in Cebu and other areas.  “We hope this will continue to help decline our cases in Cebu and the whole of Visayas since MCIA is one of the major aviation hubs,” Dino said. (PHotos: OPAV)