Recruitment, manning firms workers exempted from Luzon quarantine

Based on Memorandum Circular No. 07, Series of 2020, the POEA said transactions and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrivals and departures during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and state of calamity in the country due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and workers in this sector are exempted from the one-month order. (File Photo: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Thursday said workers of private recruitment agencies and manning agencies are allowed to report to their offices.

Based on Memorandum Circular No. 07, Series of 2020, the POEA said transactions and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrivals and departures during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and state of calamity in the country due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and workers in this sector are exempted from the one-month order.

“Subject to the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and checkpoint authorities, and subject further to stringent social distancing measures and enhanced community quarantine protocols, the workers of private recruitment agencies and manning agencies may be allowed local travel to their offices to enable them to process OFW documents, transact with banks, and prepare OFW payrolls for salaries/ allotments,” said the order signed by POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia on March 18.

Workers must present proof of employment to authorities at the checkpoints.

As for OFWs arrivals, repatriation, and departures, the POEA said they shall be subjected to the social distancing measures, quarantine procedures at national and local government unit (LGU) levels, as well as immigration procedures that are currently in place.

“Assistance and services for the said workers shall be provided by government agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Bureau of Quarantine, or the Philippine Ports Authority, as appropriate,” it said.

“The government, the stakeholders in the Philippine recruitment and manning industry, as well as foreign principals shall work in close coordination through tripartite consultations in upholding the provisions contained in the standard employment contracts signed by the workers,” the Order added.

For local travel for OFWs with Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) and confirmed international itinerary, they should be allowed to depart from the Philippines from any of the international airports in Luzon provided that on top of existing POEA processes in the issuance of OECS, traveling OFWs shall be further subjected to comply with social distancing measures, quarantine procedures at national and local government unit (LGU) levels, as well as immigration procedures that are currently in place.

OFWs were reminded to present proof of confirmed international itinerary of the traveling OFW at checkpoints.

Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is providing free shuttle service to stranded OFWs going to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals and vice versa.

In an advisory, the Agency said there are four bus routes which include North Luzon, South Luzon, National Capital Region (NCR) 1 and 2 bus routes with scheduled travel hours of 7 a.m., 12 noon and 6 p.m.

North Luzon bus routes include NAIA Terminal to Dau Bus Terminal (North Luzon Expressway): NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3; Tabang Exit; SM City San Fernando; Dau Bus Terminal (vice versa).

Meanwhile, the South Luzon bus routes are NAIA Terminal to Turbina Terminal (South Luzon Expressway): NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3; McDonald’s (St. Dominic), Bacoor; Central Savemore, Salitran; SM Dasmariñas; Sta. Rosa Exit; Turbina Terminal, Calamba (vice versa).

Included in the National Capital Region (NCR) 1 bus route are NAIA Terminal to Fairview (via España): NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3; Baclaran Church; Raon Overpass, Quiapo; Welcome Rotonda (UMDC); Philcoa (Jollibee); Tandang Sora (Mercury Drug); Sandiganbayan; Robinsons Commonwealth (before rotonda) and Fairview (via España) to NAIA Terminal (via España): Robinsons Commonwealth (before rotonda); Overpass fronting St. Peter Church; Tandang Sora (McDonalds); Philcoa (Petron); DILG Bldg. (front); Welcome Rotonda (McDonalds); UST main gate; Quiapo Church; Baclaran Church, NAIA 1, 2 and 3.

NCR 2 Bus routes are NAIA Terminal to Monumento (via EDSA): NAIA 1, 2, 3; Ayala (Shell); Guadalupe Market; SM Megamall; Cubao (Farmers Plaza), Centris Walk, EDSA, Quezon Ave.; Trinoma Mall; Balintawak (Shell); Monumento Rotonda (Mercury Drug) and Monumento to NAIA Terminal (via EDSA): Monumento Rotonda (Mercury Drug); Balintawak (Puregold); Trinoma MRT; Quezon Ave (McDonalds); DLTB Bus station; Starmall (Shaw Boulevard); Loyola Guadalupe; Dusit Thani Makati; NAIA 1, 2, 3.

For more information the public may call the following numbers: OWWA Hotline 1348; OWWA Counter (NAIA 1), 09275781306; (NAIA 2), 09954825372; (NAIA 3), 09275781308 or OWWA Repatriation Assistance Division, 0288917601loc. 5212, 5213 or 0285516648.