The repatriation of the second batch of the remains of the more than 200 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Saudi Arabia has been moved by a week, the Department of Labor and Employment announced on Sunday, July 12.
The Labor department said this is in order for them to fly home more remains of OFWs.
"In order for us to fly home more remains of our fallen OFWs from the KSA, and pursuant to the communication of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, the second batch of repatriation has been moved by a week," DOLE said in an advisory.
"More bodies of our dear OFWs will arrive on July 20 instead," it further read.
On July 10, the government brought back the remains of 49 of the 274 deceased OFWs from Saudi Arabia.
Thirty-two of the dead OFWs came from Dammam while 17 came from Riyadh.
The Labor department said of the 49 remains of OFWs, 20 died of COVID-19 and 29 from other causes.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the government will continue to fly home the rest of the dead adding that if need be, not only from the Middle East but also from all over the world.
The DOLE said next to be brought back are those from Jeddah and other parts of the region. The arrival of their remains were earlier set on July 14.