DILG exec denies return of OFWs to home provinces has no proper coordination

An official from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday denied that there is no proper coordination on the return of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to their home provinces, but he admitted that the time given for local government officials is now limited.

"Ang difference noong coordination namin bago nitong kahapon at ngayon is noon may 24 to 48-hour window para makapagprepare ang LGU sa pagsusundo, para sa pagdating ng OFW. Ngayon medyo maliit ang window for preparation," DILG Undersecretary for Operations Epimaco Densing III told Dobol B sa News TV.

Densing admitted that local government officials could have really been surprised with the ultimatum given by President Rodrigo Duterte on the return of the OFWs.

"Medyo may katotohanan na nabigla sila pero ang importante 'yung OFW makabalik na doon sa probinsiya at ang OFW naman willing sila maghintay," Densing said.

"Dahil madalian po ito, ang aming protocol kasi once nabigay na sa amin 'yung pangalan at 'yung flight, kinocoordinate namin sa LGU, 24 to 48 hours before so nakakapagprepare sila. Dahil madalian nga ito at mass transport nga ito ng OFW at bago naming protocol, ang mga pangalan na sasakay para makauwi ay malalaman na at least, masasabi nating few hours ang difference," he explained.

Meanwhile, Densing reminded local chief executives not to reject the arrival of OFWs in their provinces as the order came from the Chief Executive.

"Huwag na huwag po nilang ire-reject. 'Yun po ang ipinagbabawal natin. This is a presidential directive so sa mga LGU, huwag na huwag ho ninyong irereject ang mga OFW once na dumating. Doon ho tayo magkakaroon ng problema," Densing said.

In a separate television interview, Densing warned that show cause orders may be issued against LGUs who will not comply with the order of the President.

"Otherwise, we will send them (LGU) a show cause order why they are not abiding or following the directive of the national government vis a vis the ofw returned to the local government units," Densing told CNN.

On Monday, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez lamented the supposed lack of proper coordination on the return of OFWs stranded due to the strict quarantine.

Gomez said local government officials were expecting a proper notice on the return of the OFWs. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News