OWWA assists almost 13K stranded OFWs

FILE: Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac and OWWA officers welcome distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were repatriated from Kuwait through Philippine Airlines (PR) 669 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Monday morning. (Feb. 12, 2018). (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has assisted nearly 13,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were stranded after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented in Luzon due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.

Based on the report of OWWA’s Task Force Covid-19 that was released on Wednesday, a total of 12,969 Filipinos have been provided with assistance as of April 20.

It added that 4,258 OFWs have been given free transportation, including 107 Filipinos who were transported to their residences or provinces after completing their 14-day quarantine.

Some 3,965 OFWs were provided with temporary shelter.

Meanwhile, 3,743 seafarers were given food packs and 1,003 stranded OFWs in the regions have received food, accommodation, and transportation assistance.

Last March 17, President Rodrigo Duterte implemented the ECQ to help check the spread of Covid-19.

The ECQ is in effect until April 30.