Stranded Bol-anons in Cebu face dilemma in securing homecoming requirements

By Marisol Bo-oc | 06:37 PM May 15, 2020

CEBU CITY- While pleas for their homecoming have been heard, a number of stranded Boholanos in Cebu are less likely to complete the requirements anytime soon.

Glenn Estaca and three of his friends who were also stranded agreed to visit the Cebu City Health Office on Friday morning to ask for a health certification.

Unfortunately, their plans were cancelled when they were asked for a home quarantine pass from barangay border control.

“Lisud kaayo kay pangayuan mi og home quarantine pass sa laing barangay. Lisud sab kay wala sab mi masakyan paingon sa Cebu City Health Office,” said Estaca who lives in Barangay Apas.

They need to get a health clearance as one of the requirements for their return trip to Bohol.

The provincial government of Bohol has four requirements for returning Boholanos stranded
for them to gain entry into the province.

These include: (1) negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test prior to the arrival of returning Boholanos in the province, (2) 14-day quarantine facility completion certificate signed by landlord/management and barangay officials; a medical certification from the health office of the municipality or city of origin, and finally the absence of Covid19 symptoms and undertaking for the returning Boholano that he or she agrees to undergo another 14-day quarantine in an LGU quarantine facility upon arrival.

According to the stranded Boholanos, the first requirement was the most difficult to accomplish given the lack of public transportation in Cebu City due to the quarantine restrictions.

Sam Mi said most of them lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

“Para ka masayod kasagaran namo diri wala na jud intawon kwarta. Bisan gani palit bugas maglisod ,pambayad pa kaha aning emong requirements nga arang daghana!!! Lupig paman mokuha requirements para abroad Ani,” she shared in the group chat of “Boholanos Stranded.”

Estaca said that it is not also easy to get a PCR test since DOH will determine if an individual is eligible, based on health guidelines.

An individual should be assessed as “high risk” prior to conduct of testing, thus, not all stranded Boholanos can be tested for free by DOH.

PCR testing is expensive, another stranded Boholano Gerwin Yudelmo said.

Yudelmo on his Facebook said a PCR test cost P8,000.

“Nagpakitabang gani ta kay perting lisura sa mga na stranded. Unsaon mn nato pagprocess anang mga gikinahanglan nga di man ta ka tabok sa lain barangay kay dili ka makasolod ug wala kay Barangay Pass. kadaghanan sa mga stranded una Wala nay kuarta no work no pay 2 months na/stay at home/ unya way gawas2x Kay way kasakyan way quarantine pass .way angkas motor way jeep biyahe.Mag lakaw lang. Ang pag adto sa Cebu Health Office usa ka buwis buhay nga desisyon! (Wala kay masakyan magbaktas ka, ug dato ka ug naa kay sakyanan aw dayon ra ni nimo),” Yudelmo said.

As of Friday, the provincial government of Bohol said instead of PCR test the stranded Boholano can take the rapid test.

According to Dr. Yul Lopez of the provincial health office (PHO), the rapid test will be shouldered by the provincial government of Bohol.

A coronavirus disease (COVID) 19 testing area will be set up in Cebu City by the provincial Capitol.

A medical technician and two physicians will be deployed to facilitate the rapid antibody testing for Boholanos in Cebu City.