The number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated as a result of the hardships caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has officially breached the 600,000-mark.
"Ang kabuuang bilang po ng mga napauwi na na mga kababayan nating OFWs ay umabot na sa 603,204 as of early this morning (The total number of our OFW-countrymen who have been sent home is 603,204 as of early this morning)," DOLE Information and Publication Service (IPS) Director Rolly Francia said during a virtual press briefing Monday afternoon, July 5.
"Matindi pa rin po ang pagdating ng ating mga kababayang OFWs na apektado ng COVID-19 sa iba't ibang sulok ng daigdig (These OFWs who have been affected by COVID-19 continue to arrive from different parts of the globe at a steady pace)," Francia said.
Last week, the number of repatriated OFWs hovered at the 597,000-mark.
These individuals have not just been flown back to the country; they've already been sent to their back to their provinces after fulfilling their quarantine requirement.
The quarantine hotel, food, and transportation needs of the returning OFWs are being shouldered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The OWWA is an attached agency of DOLE, which is led by Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive displacement among Filipino workers abroad since last year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic in March 2020.