By Betheena Unite Another 2,044 returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) tested negative for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Wednesday (May 20), the Philippine Coast Guard said. This number is in addition to the 23,000 repatriated OFWs who tested negative for the disease after undergoing RT-PCR tests administered by the Sub-Task Group for the repatriation of OFWs. “These OFWs will receive their quarantine clearance this week from OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) and from their manning agencies,” the Coast Guard said. It was disclosed that about 30,000 returning Filipino workers have undergone testing for the disease upon arriving in the country since the start of the pandemic. However, some 42,000 more OFWs are expected to return to the Philippines in the coming months. Meanwhile, according to the Coast Guard, the three quarantine facilities under their watch in Port Area, Manila remain COVID-19 free as of May 20. “Today, there is no confirmed COVID-19 positive case in the quarantine facilities and the 464 Filipinos remain healthy and show no sign or symptom of the virus,” the Coast Guard said in its advisory. The treatment facility set up at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal is currently handling a total of 181 returning OFWs, while the the two 2GO quarantine ships--MV St. John Paul II and MV St. Anthony De Padua --have a total of 283 individuals onboard. A total of 316 repatriated OFWs, both sea-based and land-based, have completed their mandatory quarantine period and have been sent home to their localities, while 204 individuals are now awaiting transport to their respective home provinces or cities. Their transportation back to their home provinces and cities are jointly arranged by the Maritime Industry Authority, licensed manning agencies, OWWA, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, and the Department of Transportation. (Betheena Unite)