OWWA RECORDS 1,970 RETURNING OFWS IN NORMIN

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 24 (PIA)—Extending assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has facilitated the return of about 59,000 OWFs to their hometowns where 1,970 come from the region.

“Patuloy po ang pagmamanman sa sitwasyon sa mga OFWs natin sa abroad lalo na sa Saudi at Middle East (We continuously monitor the situation of our OWFs abroad especially those who are working in Saudi and Middle East),” Hans Leo Cacdac, OWWA administrator, says during the daily Laging Handa Network Briefing with Presidential Communications Sec. Martin Andanar, June 24.

For its ‘Hatid-Sundo sa Stranded OFWs,’ Cacdac said they coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to help OFWs return to their homes the soonest time possible.

Cacdac added that swab testing of the OFWs has sped up with the assistance of concerned agencies. For the last four days, OWWA has assisted about 6,000 OFWs who yielded negative in the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing.

As of June 18, Eugene Mesias of OWWA-10 said they have assisted 416 OFWs via sea vessels and 1,554 through airlines. OWWA-10 assists the OFWs in Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, BARMM and CARAGA.

In assisting the OFWs, Cacdac said they provide food, accommodation, shelter, and transportation to the returning OFWs. For those who do not have plane tickets, the administrator said they arrange the travel either through commercial or C130 flights.

As they reach their homes, the government further provides assistance through the Department of Labor and Employment-AKAP where P10,000 cash assistance is provided. Also, by July or August, livelihood programs will be provided to the OFWs by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Agriculture (DA).

Cacdac also urges OFWs to check on DOLE’s online job portals for possible employment.

Currently, there are about 3,000 OFWs staying in hotel quarantine facilities in the country.