No need for departing OFWs to wear PPEs —Ople, POEA

Overseas Filipino workers departing the country for jobs abroad need not wear personal protective equipment or PPEs, Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said.

Ople, who is in the US as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, on Friday said the wearing of PPEs is not sanctioned by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and POEA.

"I agree with the sentiments of Senator Pia Cayetano and other legislators that the PPE requirement for departing OFWs is outdated, misguided and oppressive. I regret not having issued this order much earlier to spare our OFWs the discomfort of going to the airport in full PPE attire," Ople said.

The POEA thus issued Advisory No. 62 on Friday against requirements of certain agencies for OFWs to wear full PPEs upon departure.

It said it has not issued nor implemented rules and guidelines requiring OFWs to wear PPEs, whether in airports in the Philippines or in countries of destination.

"With the easing of regulations on both domestic and international travel, and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF)'s promulgation of policies for the relaxation of COVId-19 restrictions, such as the voluntary wearing of face masks outdoors and the downgrading of most areas to the lowest alert level, the POEA reiterates that requirements on the deployment and travel of OFWs must also be relaxed. The Administration further reiterates that any health and safety procedure for OFWs must be harmonized with the requirements of the Philippine government and of the country of destination," the advisory read.

"All licensed agencies are thus hereby reminded of the afore-stated guidance from the POEA on the use of PPE, consistent with minimum public health and safety guidelines currently being implemented in the Philippines and in the countries of destination," it added.

Ople said having COVID-19 vaccines and wearing face masks already provide sufficient protection to OFWs against the coronavirus.

"The DMW firmly believes that having vaccines plus booster shots and wearing face masks provide sufficient protection to our overseas workers. Until otherwise recommended by our health officials, the POEA advisory against mandatory wearing of PPEs for our OFWs by their respective recruitment and manning agencies shall remain in force," Ople said.

She added that countries such as the US have already relaxed their health protocols for all travelers including foreign workers, and airlines require only vaccination certificates.

Taiwan also eased protocols leading to shorter quarantine period and a halt to the requirement for OFWs to wear PPEs, the POEA said. —KG, GMA News