Transportation Undersecretary Raul Del Rosario orients the staff of the “Balik Pinas, Balik Pampanga Program” at the NAIA. Photo courtesy of Daniel Ombina/Pampanga PIO
MANILA CITY – Transportation Undersecretary Raul Del Rosario said the Kapampangan repatriates are fortunate enough as their provincial government is the first local government unit to assist the returning overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers from the airport back to their respective hometowns amid the spread of coronavirus disease pandemic in the country.
According to Del Rosario, other LGU can also replicate the initiative started by the Pampanga government to help the national government decongest the volume of repatriates arriving in Metro Manila.
“Ginagawa po natin ito, baka sakaling ang ibang LGUs ay sumunod. Magtulungan tayo, ang gobyerno at LGUs para sa tama at maayos na pagsalubong sa mga ika nga nating heroes,” he said.
During the final orientation and ocular visit of the designated employees of the provincial government for the “Balik Pinas, Balik Pampanga Program” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport here, Del Rosario expressed his delight for the arriving Kapampangan ROFs and OFWs.
“Napakaswerte niyo po, pagdating niyo pa lang aalagaan na kayo ng inyong probinsya. Bibigyan kayo ng magandang accommodation para maayos kayong makabalik sa inyong mga destinasyon,” Del Rosario told the ROFs and OFWs.
To date, Del Rosario revealed that the airport has already welcomed around 60,000 repatriates including OFWs and non-OFWs during the pandemic.
Pampanga disaster risk reduction and management office chief Angelina Blanco, one of the chief implementers of the program, meanwhile assured that accommodation and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided to all the staff who will be assigned at NAIA.
“The safety of our staff is also one of our priorities. Governor Delta provided them with all the necessary gear that they need. We will also give free anti-flu vaccines to all volunteers before they will be deployed in their assigned posts,” she explained.
At least 58 staff from the provincial government are expected to assist the Kapampangan ROFs, who will be swabbed and quarantined at the Covid-19 facilities in the province starting July 7. — Luisse Rutao/Pampanga PIO
