DFA plans to repatriate over 78,000 more OFWs amid virus onslaught
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign (DFA) will be bringing home over 78,000 more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amid the global coronavirus crisis.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said during a House of Representatives hearing that 78,787 have expressed their intentions to go back to the Philippines.
“The numbers might go down because the UAE has extended its amnesty and Bahrain also, the amnesty is until December,” she said.
“So some people might decide to push it to the last day before they decide to return to the Philippines,” she added.
As of August, DFA has repatriated 30,567 OFWs, which was below the agency’s projection because of the imposition of the modified enhanced community quarantine in certain parts of the country.
To date, 9,984 Filipinos abroad have contracted COVID-19, including 3,298 active cases as well as 5,953 recoveries and 733 deaths.
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