Cebuana Requests Repatriation from Virus-Hit Italian Region

A Cebuana who is now living in the Italian industrial region of Lombardy has appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to “not to forget them” if the Philippine government orders repatriation of Filipinos in their place which is now affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Hadassa Joy Bermudez, a native of Lapu-Lapu City who now is now living in Brescia City, said she would be among the Filipinos who would avail of the repatriation, to put her twin children to a safer place as more than 600 were confirmed to have been infected with the virus in the region.

“Actually, part of me would want to go home if it means for the safety of my children. It’s better to go for repatriation if there is. Nonetheless, if such repatriation means we can still go back here when it will become safer, then we have to come back because we have established life here. So, we will come back,” Bermudez said in an interview with Bombo Radyo Cebu on Monday.

She praised the Philippine consulate in Milan for its prompt dissemination of news concerning the safety of their compatriots in the entire Italy, following the news that 822 Italians were infected with the viral disease.

“They are also doing their part. They are doing their best to disseminate information. So far they have been releasing advisories for us to be take extra precaution when outside,” she said.

Bermudez said that Filipino consular officials in Milan have advised them to implement precautionary measures like wearing of masks and washing of hands.

The consular officials have been posting news related to Covid-19 through the “Ugnayang Pinoy”, a public group page on Facebook.

The Italian government has issued an ordinance imposing a lockdown in many cities and municipalities in Lombardy region. The latest lockdown was implemented in the municipality of Lodigiano, Bermudez said.

She said the ordinance also imposed limited movement of residents, suspension of classes, limited hours of operation of pubs and restaurants, closure of Chinese and Japanese restaurants, as well as restrictions against public gathering and Holy Masses to prevent the spread of the virus.

However, Filipino workers in the region, including her husband, are still reporting to work, Bermudez said.

She called on her relatives in Toledo City in Cebu and other Filipinos who have family members living in Italy not to worry about their situation, saying they are taking extra precautionary measures when going out to public places.

“Sa atong mga kababayan ayaw mo pag-worry (To our countrymen, do not worry). We are doing our best to be safe here despite the Covid-19. And also sa atong pinaka-maayong (to our able) President Duterte, we are here sir daghan pud dinhi (we have so many) Filipinos sir and we don’t know what’s going to happen very soon so if anything kun naay plano (that you have planned for) sir, ayaw intawon mi kalimti (don’t forget us),” Bermudez said. (PNA)