The committee on the US Exchange Visitor Program chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a one-year moratorium on Philippine participation in the program due to “life-threatening” implications related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The moratorium was imposed after the Philippine Embassy and Consulates in the United States, as well as the Commission of Filipino Overseas , have received over 600 requests for assistance from displaced Filipino J1 visa holders, particularly interns and trainees, for return tickets to the Philippines, temporary shelters, food, and other basic needs after their programs were prematurely terminated when the pandemic broke out.
Due to the difficulties they were facing during the COVID-19 outbreak, more than 300 EVP participants have proceeded to return to the Philippines by sourcing their own funding from friends, family, and other sources for their repatriation. “They have all complained of lack of support from their agencies, sponsors and host institutions,” the report said, adding that there are also lingering complaints on exorbitant fees and deduction in salaries and allowances imposed by some agencies and sponsors which need to be addressed.
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