Encoding problem delaying release of OFWs from quarantine facilities—Vergeire

Problem with encoding test results of overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) for COVID-19 has been causing the delay in their release from quarantine facilities, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Wednesday.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Vergeire admitted that the test results of OFWs were not being delivered quickly.

“Ang nagiging problema ngayon is encoding, ‘yung pagi-encode ng mga datos at tsaka ‘yung mga resulta,” Vergeire said.

“Hindi natin nakuha nang mabilis ngayon ay ‘yung result ng mga tests para sila ay mabigyan na ng clearance at  makauwi na sa kanilang probinsiya,” she added.

To resolve this, Vergeire said the government, with the help of the private sector, led by deputy chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 Vince Dizon, has hired more encoders.

‘Yun po ‘yung ginagawan ng paraan ngayon by hiring more encoders,” she said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) recently reported that some OFWs have escaped from quarantine facilities -- including some who were later tested positive for COVID-19 -- amid the delay in the release of the results.

Some of the stranded OFWs have reportedly complained that they were being forced to stay in quarantine facilities longer than the mandatory 14-day quarantine. --Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News