FILE PHOTO: 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 — The government has so far repatriated around 1.7 million overseas Filipinos since the start of the pandemic, an official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Friday.
“We have brought home a total—ito na ‘yung lahat lahat na, hindi lang ‘yung mga napauwi natin sa probinsya, lahat lahat—1.7 million na OF (overseas Filipinos) tayong natulungan na ma-repatriate itong panahon ng pandemya,” OWWA Deputy Administrator for Administration and Fund Management Arnell Ignacio said at the Laging Handa public briefing.
(We have brought home a total of 1.7 million overseas Filipinos in their repatriation during the pandemic. These are all those we have assisted, not just those already sent home to their provinces.)
According to Ignacio, a total of 1,704 OFWs are still staying in 92 hotels for their quarantine.
The official noted that the number of OFWs staying in hotels for their quarantine are already decreasing.
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