By Marjaleen Ramos
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said some 300,000 overseas Filipino workers are expected to return to the Philippines this year.
"Sa buong taon ni-expect kasi natin na mga 300,000 na OFWs ang uuwi," DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in an interview with DZMM TeleRadyo.
"Buong mundo kasi ang naka-lockdown. Pinauuwi talaga nila iyong mga workers -- hindi lang Pilipinas -- iba't ibang countries. Ito rin ang pagkakataon na ipakita natin ang importance ng mga OFWs 'pag sila ay umuwi na," he added.
Año also said some OFWs stayed in quarantine centers for almost two months longer than the supposed 14-day quarantine due to problems with encoding and printing of certificates.
“Starting today up to Wednesday, meron tayong 24,000 OFWs na iuuwi natin sa iba-ibang probinsya using buses, airplanes, ships,” Ano said.
"Tapos na ang PCR testing nito, negative sila lahat, meron din silang certificate of quarantine. Ipinagbibigay alam lang natin ito sa publiko sapagkat maraming movements na magaganap sa tatlong araw,” he continued.
Año also said they have already coordinated with the local government units for the arrival of the OFWs. “Tatanggapin nila yan basta may test galing sa PCR at negative yang mga yan.”
President Duterte on Monday ordered government agencies to rush the release of COVID-19 test results of over 24,000 returning OFWs staying in quarantine centers so that they can go back to their homes.