Announcements are on stand-by for when repatriation flights back to the Philippines can continue, with Filipinos recently interviewed in the city centre telling The Macau Post Daily that Macau’s relatively high cost of living might affect some who are faced with an extended stay.
The Philippine Consulate announced earlier this month that the next flight’s postponement was made owing to technical challenges from its service providers. The consulate emphasised that it is working to ensure that flights can be secured for repatriatees as early as possible while ensuring passengers’ health and safety during the flights, advising those who have registered for the repatriation flight to wait for further announcements.
Dennis, a Filipino non-resident aged 42 who is waiting for a flight, said that those who have no jobs, such as himself, have no source of income. He added that when he did not renew his contract with his company, he was hit with a six-month employment ban by the Immigration Department, meaning he is currently unable to seek employment.
“I’m just waiting for the repatriation flight so that I can go home”, he said, adding that owing to the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the Philippines, “we can’t do anything but wait”.
When asked about the effect of Macau’s cost of living on him, he noted that daily expenses on food are a matter of concern, adding that he was thankful that the people he lives with have been able to share food with him. He also remarked that the last salary he received was not enough to last a few months, saying: “I need to spend it carefully so that I have some money for when I can go home”.
Other Filipinos also expressed their opinions on the possible effects of the situation.
A 42-year-old female non-resident worker surnamed Desiderio remarked that the situation “affects them [repatriatees] a lot because most don’t have money anymore to support themselves”. She added that “It’s not good because it’s very costly to live here”, adding, “Imagine if you don’t have work”.
A Filipino male aged 50 added that “it’s a burden for them to stay here a little bit longer”, adding that it’s difficult if there is no source of income. “It would be a lot better if the repatriation flights could just continue so that those waiting don’t have to worry.”
Meanwhile, Lozares, a 44-year-old female non-resident worker, said that it might still be fine for those who haven’t been able to go home at the moment, noting that Macau is comparatively safer than the Philippines in terms of catching the virus. However, she was quick to add that the cost of living is a problem that they might have to face as they need to pay for things such as rent for boarding houses and daily necessities like food as long as they are still in the city.
