On supporting the plan of Gov. Gwen Garcia

I strongly support E.O. No. 17 Series of 2021 of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and Provincial Ordinance No. 2021-04 of the Cebu Provincial Board implementing the Swab-Upon-Arrival Policy in Cebu.

The IATF Guidelines give additional burden to our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF) by requiring them to spend their time and hard-earned money to stay in hotels and accredited quarantine facilities for a minimum of ten (10) days from arrival and swab test done only seven (7) days from arrival.

I support Cebu Governor Garcia in their ordinance for Cebu Residents, OFWs and ROFs to have a Swab-Upon-Arrival-Policy. Hindi na kailangan mag quarantine sa mga hotel ng mga Cebu Residents, OFWs and ROFs for 10 days or more. Pagdating, swab agad, after the negative results within 24 hours, they are sent home and undergo home quarantine for the remaining balance of the 14 days required and will be monitored by the Barangay. After 7 days, the 2nd swab will be done by the LGU of residence in Cebu.

In this manner, the IATF- required quarantine and swab test have not been violated. The purpose for which these protocols were put in place has not been defeated. It's actually a win-win situation for both the OFWs and ROFs and the government. This is an innovative, safe and reasonable protocol especially for our OFWs. I'm looking forward that this best practice will be implemented throughout the country.