Close to 250K OFWs reunite with families: DOLE

FILE: Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assist overseas Filipino workers heading home to their respective provinces during a send-off at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange on Monday (May 25, 2020). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Sunday reported that close to 250,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returnees have been assisted back to their home provinces in the last five months.

As of Oct. 11, DOLE said a total of 248,469 Filipinos have been reunited with their families in the different parts of the country.

The government has started sending home OFWs en masse in May.

Of the figure, the most number of returnees, so far, was recorded in May 25-31, which totaled to 25,002.

It was followed by the repatriation from Aug 10-Aug 16 with 17,085.

DOLE added that the latest batch of OFWs comprised of 2,458 individuals were sent to their respective home provinces on Saturday, Oct. 2.

On the other hand, so far, the least number of Filipinos who have returned and are now with their families was recorded on Oct. 9, with 1,426.

During the initial week of the program, some 8,922 OFW returnees were flown back to their provinces from May 15-24.

The returning and stranded OFWs have been transported to their home provinces via land, sea, and air.

The workers were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.