530K OFWs repatriated to PH: Lorenzana

MANILA – The number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated by the government amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has now reached 530,000.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made this report during the televised meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday evening.

“Mr. President, I have nothing to say except dalawang bagay lang (for two things). Iyong ating OFWs umabot na ng 530,000 na umuwi so marami na po ‘yan (OFWs that have been repatriated have reached 530,000 so I think that is already a huge number),” said Lorenzana, also chairperson of the National Task Force against Covid-19.

Lorenzana also said the country still logs 1,000 OFW arrivals daily.

“And then for the Filipinos from Sabah, we already have returned, 2,672, mayroon pa pong 3,918 ang (there are 3,918 more Filipinos) waiting to be repatriated to the Philippines. Iyon lang po (That’s all), Mr. President,” he added.

The government has earlier allocated some PHP11 billion for the repatriation, accommodation including food, swab testing, and transportation of returning OFWs displaced by the pandemic, to their home regions.

The labor department earlier said it is expecting around 60,000 more OFWs to come home this year.