BUTUAN CITY - A total of 2,547 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have made it home in their respective provinces in Northeastern Mindanao, or Caraga region, as of Tuesday, August 4, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in the area (OWWA-13) said on Wednesday.
OWWA RWO Caraga- Labor Communication Officer Anne Jane M. Hallasgo told The Manila Bulletin that the repatriation assistance to returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) covered from April 30 to August 4.
The OFWs were sent home through a series of chartered and sweeper flights of Philippine Airlines from Manila to Butuan City (Bancasi Airport), Laguindingan International Airport (Cagayan de Oro City) and F. Bangoy International Airport (Davao City).
The OFWs were properly supervised in their arrival here by the regional staff and personnel, led by OWWA 13 Officer-in-Charge Ma. Ireen C. Cambaling and other concerned line agencies of the government.
They (OFWs) properly adhered to all health protocols before they were allowed to board the plane and upon their arrival at the said mentioned airports, particularly at Bancasi (Butuan City) National Airport, in an effort to avert the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Hallasgo said the agency’s concern was the health of every OFW, and that they can go home to their respective families.
“Yes, that’s the priority of our OWWA 13 Officer-in-Charge Cambaling to help our OFWs coming from different countries go home to their provinces and cities in Caraga region,” Ms. Hallasgo said.
Of the total number of OFWs sent home to Caraga Region as of August 4, Hallasgo said 613 OFWs were from Butuan City, 458 from Agusan del Norte, 376 from Agusan del Sur, 488 from Surigao del Norte, 504 from Surigao del Sur, 60 from Dinagat Islands, and 48 from Siargao Islands.
The OWWA 13 provided airport assistance (sweeper flights), port assistance (Malasakit voyages), transportation assistance, meals, temporary shelter and referred to respective local government units (LGUs) for assistance.
“All the returning OFWs also underwent strict health protocols required in their respective provinces and cities before they were allowed to go home to their families,” Hallasgo said.
Meanwhile, the regional office of OWWA 13 here is strictly implementing health protocols in an objective to stop the transmission of the deadly virus.
“This is to ensure infection prevention and control as well as to uphold public health and safety,” stressed Cambaling, adding strict compliance was for everybody’s protection.