24,028 OFWs in quarantine facilities sent home

The government has so far facilitated the return of around 24,028 overseas Filipino workers to their hometowns upon the order of President Duterte, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Filipino repatriates have been ferried via air, sea, and land transportation to their hometowns from May 25 to May 31.

“Nakauwi na po ang mahigit 24,000 na kababayan natin na OFWs sa kani-kanilang mga tahanan. Matatandaan na nagbigay ng deadline ang ating Presidente sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan na aksyunan ang isyu ng OFWs na nasa mandatory quarantine. Ito ay matapos makarating sa Pangulo na may isa or dalawang buwan na sa Maynila na naghihintay ng kanilang test results at certificate of quarantine (More than 24,000 OFWs have returns to their homes. It may be recalled that the President gave a deadline to government agencies to act on the issue of OFWs in mandatory quarantine following reports that OFWs have been in Manila for one to two months waiting for their test results and certificate of quarantine),” he said during a Palace press briefing aired on state television.

Around 217 OFWs are still waiting for their flights while 255 will take the bus home, according to Roque.

He said groups of local seafarers have thanked the President for the assistance given to them. “The announcement made by your spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday that the government will use all government resources gives seafarers around the world renewed hope that they are not forgotten,” Roque said, reading a portion of the statement from the seafarers’ groups.

President Duterte earlier gave health and labor authorities one week to bring home the 24,000 OFWs stuck in quarantine centers in Metro Manila after getting their health clearances.

Duterte also appealed to local government units to accept the Filipino repatriates “with open arms,” saying they have a right to travel and reunite with their families. He took a swipe at some local executives who were blocking the return of the OFWs, insisting it was cruel and unlawful to deny their entry back home.

The government has been sending home the coronavirus-negative OFWs staying at quarantine centers to make room for the influx of more workers in the coming weeks.

Chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said they expect 42,000 OFWs displaced by the pandemic to return to the country this month. He said measures are being taken to prevent a second wave of coronavirus transmission from the influx of the returning workers.

As a precaution against the coronavirus outbreak, Filipino workers are required to undergo coronavirus testing and a 14-day facility quarantine upon arrival in the country.