Dr. James Dy donates P2M to DOLE

For the repatriation of COVID-19 infected OFWs from Hong Kong

By Rhenz Salonga

A leader of the Filipino-Chinese community donated P2 million to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)  for the immediate repatriation of 65 overseas Filipino workers tested positive with Coronavirus 2019 (COVID 19), forcing them to sleep outdoors while others had been denied treatment at hospitals.

Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) president Dr. James Dy said the CGHMC will also provide  the  COVID 19 stricken migrant workers with medicines and hygiene kits once they arrive in the country while in OWWA accredited quarantine facilities.

He said doctors from the CGHMC will extend medical treatment to OFWs infected with the COVID 19 for free.

Dr. Dy, also Chairman and  President Emeritus of Filipino-Chinese General Chamber of Commerce  Inc.,(FCGCCI) and Philippine Chinese Charitable Association (PCCA), owner and operator of CGHMC said that their group gave P1 million each or a total of P2 million for the distressed OFWs in Hong Kong.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III welcomed Dr. Dy’s offer, saying the P2 million will be used to repatriate OFWs affected by the COVID 19 surge in Hong Kong.

“The P2 million will go a long way and will definitely help our kababayans affected by the COVID surge in Hong Kong ,” Bello said.

The Labor chief also expressed his gratitude to Dr. James Dy for the latter’s concern to Filipino migrant workers by letting  medical doctors from the Chinese General Hospital to take care of the OFWs infected with the virus who are temporarily staying in OWWA-accredited boarding houses and hotels.

Bello said they are currently  coordinating with officials of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong for the repatriation of OFWs who recovered from the virus and are willing to return to the Philippines.

Dr. Dy, who is one of the country’s prominent  Filipino-Chinese entrepreneurs, expressed grave concern to Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong after receiving reports that many OFWs who tested positive with the virus were forced to terminate  and leave their work places by their employers.