[ad_1]
The government has once again allowed the deployment of Filipino workers abroad (OFW), except those who are health professionals.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque announced Thursday that land or sea workers could seek employment abroad as long as they sign a statement acknowledging the risks they would face.
Medical professionals were still prohibited from leaving under the deployment ban imposed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Roque said.
The policy came as the majority of the country prepares to move to a more relaxed quarantine on Saturday.
Exemptions are Metro Manila, Laguna Province and Cebu City, which have been placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).
Roque said the government also allowed recruitment and placement agencies to operate in
MECQ and community quarantine areas in general.
Government offices and agencies involved in the processing of the OFW deployment were directed to establish “green lanes” to allow for rapid processing and deployment, he added.
Last month, the POEA banned medical workers from working abroad due to the coronavirus emergency. But the coronavirus task force revised the guidelines after opposition from migrant workers and some government officials.
Doctors, nurses and other health professionals with employment contracts signed abroad as of March 8 last have been allowed to return to their jobs.
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would discuss with the Attorney General Menardo Guevarra the legality of preventing health workers from leaving, as he was concerned about their health and safety.
Of the 11,618 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Philippines, more than 2,000 are health workers, while 35 died from the disease as of May 12.
