By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that 58 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who arrived Friday at the Bacolod-Silay International Airport refused to board the bus that will bring them to the Provincial Healing Center in E.B.Magalona town.
Lacson said a total of 93 OFWs arrived around 3 a.m., including 65 from Negros Occidental. Of the 65, only seven boarded the bus to EB Magalona town.
They preferred to stay at the airport, Lacson said.
Lacson also denied reports that they will be made to sleep at the town’s gym.
“I don’t think that is true, there are many rooms available,” the governor added.
He said that the 58 OFWs who refused to go to EB Magalona will be processed and billeted in hotels.
He said reports also reached him that the group who opted to stay at the airport complained of hunger.
Lacson said if they had agreed to go to EB Magalona, they could have eaten already.
“That is why we are asking for your cooperation,” the governor added.
30 OFWs who arrived this week also refused to be brought to the same quarantine center.
“I don’t know why, maybe the previous batch told them that it is comfortable to stay at the airport,” Lacson said.
He lamented the short notice on the arriving OFWs.
A seafarer who was quarantined in EB Magalona claimed via Facebook that the place was too hot during the day and they had to fend off mosquitoes and other insects during the night.
