Palace expects seamless repatriation amid Covid-19 threat

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo reiterated its vow to the public that the current administration would exhaust all means to protect all Filipinos from the threat of Covid-19, which originates in Wuhan, China. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA – Malacañang on Saturday expressed optimism that the government will be able to carry out “seamless” repatriation of the next batches of Filipinos from countries hit by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo reiterated its vow to the public that the current administration would exhaust all means to protect all Filipinos from the threat of Covid-19, which originates in Wuhan, China.

“The Office of the President is confident that the succeeding repatriation efforts will be seamless and will have a similar outcome as we assure that the safety of Filipinos here and abroad remains to be the paramount concern of the government,” he said in a statement.

The assurance came after the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) held earlier Saturday a send-off ceremony for all Filipino repatriates who were quarantined in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

At least 30 Filipinos who were repatriated from Wuhan, China were cleared of Covid-19 after manifesting no signs and symptoms of the fatal coronavirus during their 14-day quarantine period.

Apart from the Filipino repatriates, around five DOH medical team members, five DFA response team members, six plane crew, and three ground personnel were also quarantined and tested negative for Covid-19.

Panelo said the Palace welcomes the latest development, noting that all those who have been cleared of the deadly disease can now return home.

“The Palace is pleased that the 30 Filipino repatriates from Wuhan, China have been given a clean bill of health and been released from quarantine at the Athlete’s Village at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac to rejoin their families and loved ones in the Philippines,” he said.

Panelo also lauded the DFA and the DOH, including the two agencies’ respective health emergency response teams, for their “heroic efforts” to bring back the first batch of repatriates from Wuhan, China.

He also thanked the Tarlac government and its residents for their cooperation and understanding in hosting Filipino repatriates during the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

Filipinos onboard M/V Diamond Princes is the second batch expected to arrive in the country early next week.