AMBASSADOR Jaime Victor Ledda has appealed to the Dutch government on behalf of stranded Filipino workers left marooned by tightened travel restrictions in efforts to slow down the COVID-19 infection.
Ledda, during a phone patch interview at the “Laging Handa” briefing Tuesday, said the Philippine diplomatic office in the Hague has received requests for assistance from Filipinos affected by flight cancellations and left with no choice but to overstay in the country.
“We are coordinating with the Dutch government to extend leniency towards our countrymen whose plans to return home were adversely affected by grounding of flights and travel warnings. Some of them are seeking visa extensions while others are already overstaying,” Ledda said.
He said the Philippines is seeking protection for its citizens so they would not have to worry about being in trouble with immigration authorities while waiting for their chance to fly out.
Ledda said the Philippine government is hoping for reciprocity on assistance extended to other foreigners stranded on local soil due to unintended circumstances.
“We have made communications with the Dutch government to extend similar privilege to our fellow Filipinos. We are hopeful they will be well cared for,” he said.
Ledda added there are few reports reaching the Philippine embassy about COVID-19 infections in The Netherlands.
“Just the same we take safety precautions seriously. Even as we continue to operate, attending to our consular services and responding to emergencies or appointments of Filipinos seeking our assistance,” he said.
The embassy also takes care of thousands of seafarers and shipping crews in Rotterdam and Amsterdam as well as travel and hotel industry workers in the Dutch Caribbean.
He said one of the pressing concerns brought to their attention is the difficulty of getting medical attention for on board seafarers.
“We were informed they can go to hospitals here in (the) Netherlands once they are already considered in critical condition. But fortunately, although they have some symptoms, none has tested positive,” Leda said.
He said the workers were advised to stay put and rest while in self-quarantine.
