By Vir B. Lumicao
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| Congen Tejada in Statue Square, distributing CUMasks he brought in a blue reusable bag |
Consul General Raly Tejada urged Filipino workers to observe hygiene and social distancing after leading the distribution of nearly 13,000 reusable masks today, Dec 6, in Central on the first Sunday of stricter anti-coronavirus restrictions.
The
ConGen Tejada said that despite the volume of work on Sunday at the Consulate, he felt the need to conduct the sortie because many of the Filipino domestic workers who take their day off on Sundays do not have the time to pick up a free mask at the PCG.
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“My fervent request to the Filipino community is for them to observe hygiene and social distancing rules to prevent Covid infection. In this time, we need to be personally responsible for our well being. It’s a fight for our very lives so we need to take the matter very seriously,” ConGen Tejada said after the sortie.
In a separate meeting with other Filcom leaders at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Labor Attache Mel Dizon also urged FDWs to conform with anti-gathering restrictions, saying the HK government appears keen to crack down on violators.
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| Govt staff went about Central reminding everyone to keep their distance |
Congen added, “It’s too bad that our traditional Christmas gatherings may now be limited but we have no choice. Ingat po ang lahat and konti pang tiis. This too shall pass.”
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He was referring to the contagion that, for the past 11
months, has infected dozens of OFWs in the city, caused thousands to lose their
jobs, and prevented many from either coming to
The distribution began at 3pm at
The Filcom volunteers also carried similar bags as they
dispersed and went around the periphery of
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Many of the workers did not recognize the Consulate’s top official when he gave them masks. Upon being told his identity, they all rushed to his side for a photograph. Another worker, a man, said, “Thank you, General.”
At the end of the day, ConGen Tejada said: “12,600 pieces po and napamigay natin today and we intend to distribute more in the coming weeks.”
Last month, he called leaders of some organizations registered with the Consulate and gave them CuMasks for distribution among their members.
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He did not say how many CuMasks were donated by the Hong
Kong government, only saying, “Buhos po ang suporta ng
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| Police officers were also busy making sure OFWs obeyed the gathering rules |
As Consul Tejada went about with his sortie, uniformed
police officers in sixes conducted foot patrols around
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They were accompanied by female staff of the Labour and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Departments who held up placards reminding people of the social distancing measures as they moved among scattered groups of Filipinos workers.
The police public relations branch says it has not received any reports so far of Filipino or other migrant workers being booked for breaching the social distancing rules.
