GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson said the province is bracing for the return of more Negrenses, those who were stranded and overseas Filipino workers in the coming days.
Lacson said another batch of repatriated OFWs, composed of 12, is expected to arrive Wednesday, May 13, via 2Go Malasakit voyage, with seven from Bacolod and five in Negros Occidental.
As returning residents, the acceptance will depend on availability of flights and the quarantine facility.
"I can understand their situation. But we're dependent on sweeper flights. We have more than 1,600 who registered to our database. Imagine how many trips would that be to bring them in," the governor said.
He also said that the Provincial Government will also consider the "availability of our facility."
"If there is vacancy, then we can accept," he added.
Lacson said the Office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) has also been coordinating with the Capitol on the return of Negrense OFWs.
"But, I am appealing to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to ensure that returning Negrense seafarers undergo the RT-PCR test and show that they are negative before sending them home," the governor said.
As for those who are in Cebu, the governor said they are being "extra careful" on receiving Negrenses stranded in Cebu.
"You have to understand. Cebu is number two (in terms of Covid-19 cases in the country). We have to be careful on receiving Negrenses stranded in Cebu," he pointed out.
"Mangayo ko pasensiya. Sa kadamoon sang kaso sa Cebu, careful ta sa pag dawat," he said.
They have to show their Covid-19 test results, Lacson said.