Bello: Philippines ready to deploy OFWs to Oman once travel restrictions lifted

The Philippines is ready to immediately deploy overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) once the Omani government eases entry restrictions for Filipino travelers, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Wednesday.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Bello confirmed that he and Omani Ambassador to the Philippines Munther Mahfoodh Salem signed an agreement where OFWs will be allowed to be deployed to Oman once the middle eastern country lifts its travel restrictions against Filipino travelers.

“Ngayon naman ang aking nilagay doon e, kapag na-lift ang ban e i-lift ko na rin ang temporary suspension ng deployment,” Bello said.

(What I indicated in the agreement is we will lift the temporary suspension of deployment once they lift their travel ban against the Philippines.)

“Nakapirma naman kami pareha so done deal na. Inaantay na lang natin ang utos ng Omani government,” he added.

(Both of us have signed it so that is already a done deal. We are just waiting for the order of the Omani government.)

Bello said he instructed Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) administrator Bernard Olalia to start processing the OFWs’ employment papers for their quick deployment once the restrictions are lifted.

“Sinabi ko naman kay Administrator Olalia na he can start processing the paper para naman kapag go na, mabilis-bilis na ang pagde-deploy nila,” he said.

In an ANC interview, Olalia said there is no timeline yet on Oman’s lifting of travel restrictions but he said the Philippines’ side will immediately fulfill its commitment in the said agreement.

Around 1,000 OFWs will benefit from the recent deal entered into by the Oman and Philippine government, he said.

“Based on our data from January to June this year, we allowed the travel of almost 5,000 workers. So that is almost 1,000 per month,” Olalia said.

On Tuesday, Olalia announced that the Philippines has agreed to lift the deployment ban of workers to Oman, in exchange for the country easing entry restrictions for Filipino travelers.

Last week, Bello ordered the temporary suspension of OFW deployment to Oman.

He said this was based on the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after Oman banned entry of travelers from the Philippines.—AOL, GMA News