A specially fitted coaster of the Pampanga provincial government waits planeside for the transport of the repatriates. Photo posted in Governor Delta FB account
CLARK FREEPORT — A total of 444 Filipinos from the virus–stricken MV Grand Princess, which was held off the California coast, arrived at the Haribon Hangar here of the Philippine Air Force at around 2:15 a.m. on Monday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the 444 Filipinos – 438 crew members and six passengers from the MV Grand Princess – were repatriated after obtaining health clearances, and permits for disembarkation as well as land transfer to their chartered flight.
In a statement, the DFA said the “MV Grand Princess repatriates boarded the plane back to the Philippines which departed San Francisco at around 9 p.m. on March 14 (Pacific Time). The repatriates were all screened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services prior to boarding.”
The group immediately boarded chartered buses and were taken to the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City where they would be quarantined for 14 days.
It was reported that the 13 Filipinos from the cruise ship who were declared Covid-19 positive were put in health facilities in the US.
A group of 91 Filipino crewmen also volunteered to remain onboard the Grand Princess to maintain the vessel.
Operated by Princess Cruises, the Grand Princess was held off Oakland after some passengers tested positive for Covid-19 with a 71-year–old man dying and becoming the first fatality in California.
In a published statement, Capas, Tarlac Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan said: “If only I can, within my limited power as Mayor, I will definitely not forsake my own people, my beloved Capaseños, unfortunately over and above all these considerations is my being part of the bigger picture of public governance. I cannot segregate Capas from the rest of the country which needs selflessness and the unrelenting support to the national and global effort to combat Covid-19.”
NCC is withing the boundary of Capas, Tarlac but not within its jurisdiction which falls under the Bases Conversion Development Authority.
