OWWA: 220,000 OFWs sent back to their hometowns so far

(File) Repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs arrive at an airport after being allowed to go home following weeks of quarantine amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines May 26, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA, Philippines — About 220,000 repatriated overseas Filipino workers have so far been sent back to their hometowns, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Friday.

OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac said the country is still expecting about 70,000 to 80,000 OFWs to come home to the country because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Ang bilang natin ay 220,000 as of today and ‘yun namang padating pa, higit kumulang 70,000 to 80,000,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(Our count is about 220,000 as of today and those who are expected to go home to the country are about 70,000 to 80,000.)

The Philippine government has assisted in the repatriation of the OFWs affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Cacdac said the number of OFWs going back to the country is expected to increase further with the Christmas season approaching.

“Kapaskuhan ang dating kaya inaasahan natin na meron ding posible na pagdagdag,” he said.

(We are expecting the number to be bigger because of the Christmas season.)

/MUF