Teachers Camp now quarantine facility for returning OFWs

BAGUIO CITY -- The Baguio Teachers Camp is now being used as a  quarantine facility for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW)  from Baguio City, Benguet and Mountain Province before being allowed to  go home return to their respective communities.

Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas said the city government of Baguio thru Mayor Benjamin Magalong willing opened the facility to the local government units of Benguet and Mountain Province for their returning OFWs to be isolated and tested first to ensure that they are free from the COVID-19 virus.  

The Teachers Camp management has initially allowed 129 beds of the facility as quarantine area.

 For the operation of the quarantine facility, the different LGUs will be sharing the needs of the patients and the facilities and the cost to be incurred.

               Returning OFWs who are residents of three areas should coordinate with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Cordillera and their respective local government units to be processed and isolated at the Teachers Camp.

Magalong issued on April 13 the guidelines for the repatriation and mandatory quarantine of returning OFWs to the city subject to OWWA requirements. Among the requisites is the submission of a Health Declaration Form which they can fill up online at http://hdf.baguio.gov.ph/.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles earlier announced that that all overseas Filipinos especially coming from areas where there is community-based COVID-19 transmission will need to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine. He stressed that the measure will apply to all returning Filipinos, not just overseas workers.

              Returning Filipinos may also be tested with rapid antibody tests upon entering quarantine facilities and again, upon discharging to determine next steps for health surveillance if needed. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)