Raffy Tulfo calls dirty quarantine facility for Dubai OFW a ‘pigpen’

  DUBAI – A disgusted Raffy Tulfo compared a rundown Philippine quarantine facility to a pigpen, after a Filipina working in Dubai complained about deplorable conditions during her stay there. “Animoy tangkal ng baboy. Maganda pa yata ang tangkal ng baboy jan (It’s like a pigpen. Even a pigpen is better than that),” the popular broadcast journalist with millions of followers said in his online programme Idol in Action. Watch it here: Tulfo’s report came after Expatmedia.net first reported the “quarantine from hell” experience of Kareen R (full name withheld) a Dubai-based Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). In her exclusive interview with Expatmedia.net, Kareen said she was forced to stay in a decrepit classroom at Saint Paul Vocational and Industrial High School, which has been converted into a quarantine facility in her hometown in San Pablo in Isabela province. “There was only a piece of plywood laid on top of stacked, wooden chairs that served as the bed. The toilet was filthy,” said the Filipina, who recently returned to Dubai. “My mother brought me a mattress and a pillow just for me to be comfortable while sleeping,” she told Expatmedia.net, recalling her ordeal during her trip in late March. Kareen said the apathy she received from local government officials in San Pablo, Isabela forced her to expose the issue as soon as she arrived in Dubai where she felt safe to air out her grievances without fear of retribution. She had taken photos and videos of her sleeping quarters: a run-down classroom with chairs laid down haphazardly, no bed in sight, garbage in the corridors and a very dirty washroom. Read full report Dubai OFW recounts quarantine hell in Philippine province

Tulfo smells corruption on Dubai OFW quarantine issue

Kareen’s story had reached Tulfo, who is known for his public service programme on social media. The Filipina was forced to spend 11 days in the facility, with no running water and no daily food supply, except for cans of sardines and corned beef that she was told to “share with others” in quarantine. After watching photos and footage of the facility, Tulfo questioned San Pablo, Isabela Mayor Antonio Miro Jr. on the state of the quarantine facility in his province. Miro appeared to fumble through Tulfo’s questions on whether he was aware of the lack of food rations, water supply and security in the facility. The San Pablo mayor said that his team had initially checked and set up the facility, and claimed it may have deteriorated due to overuse. “We will look into it,” Miro said when asked about the problems raised by the Dubai-based OFW. He also claimed that his team was giving food stock at the facility, and that it was also “open” to relatives of those in quarantine to bring food. “So open for the virus to scatter and spread?” Tulfo asked incredulously. He asked whether the facility can be shut down immediately, but Miro said he will check the facility first. When Tulfo asked the San Pablo mayor about the budget that he is receiving to run the facility, Miro evaded answering the question directly, saying his staff is in charge of the budget. Following the interview, Tulfo said Miro’s answers were unclear. The broadcast journalist also told Kareen that the government allocates a budget per person on quarantine. “Kaya ka pinipilit na ipa quarantine dun kasi kada tao may budget. May nangyayaring corruption jan (That’s why you were forced to stay in quarantine there because there’s budget allocated for each person . There is corruption happening there,” Tulfo told Kareen. Tulfo vowed to have the issue investigated and the facility shut down. “I’ll make sure may mananagot dito ,” he said. PIA/Expat Media
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