The government has already repatriated nearly 80 percent of the more than 500, 000 overseas Filipino workers who were displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a press briefing, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said as of January 4, the number of repatriated OFWs is already at 396,000.
"When we say repatriated it means we brought them to their final destination and that is to their loved ones," he said.
"Only a few remain around 60,000 or 70,000," added Bello.
According to the labor chief, some of those displaced chose not to go back home such as the OFWs in Europe.
"I can understand that because in Europe they have a program called unemployment insurance which gives you a salary. That's probably the reason why our kababayans there are still hoping for the situation to improve," Bello said.
He said they will continue to repatriate OFWs.
"We will have another one this coming January 9...we will repatriate about 300 OFWs," said Bello.
"In fact, if not for the lockdowns we will repatriate more. Due to the lockdown there is no plane back to the Philippines. In KSA, Bahrain we are ready to repatriate them but we ca not do so because of the lockdown," he added.
"What we do is we charter a flight and when we already have sufficient number of OFWs we bring them home," Bello said.
The government started transporting OFWs en masse last May after COVID-19 tests and quarantine.
The OFW returnees were provided with accommodation, food, transportation, and COVID testing upon their arrival in the country.
To help OFWs financially, the Department of Labor and Employment has also been extending a one-time P10,000 or $200 cash aid under the Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program to OFWs whose incomes were affected by the pandemic, both on-site and those stranded in the country.