More than 36,000 OFWs repatriated: DFA

June 8, 2020

More than 36,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) have been repatriated during the coronavirus pandemic and at least 30,000 must be repatriated, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Arriola said 36,731 OFWs have been repatriated as of June 7, majority of which were  workers employed in cruise ships.

Arriola said 22,198 of the repatriated OFWs are sea-based workers and 14,533 are land-based.

Arriola said some 30,000 to 35,000 more sea-based workers need to be repatriated.

Arriola said the DFA does not distinguish between documented and undocumented workers in its repatriation operations.

"We do not distinguish what are their migration status. They would definitely be repatriated once they approach the embassy and consulate offices that they want to go home,” she said.

The DFA official urged overseas Filipinos to coordinate with the Philippine embassy in their host countries to arrange their repatriation.

The DFA said 5,392 Filipinos are positive for COVID-19 as of Sunday.

Out of this number, 2,791 patients are being treated, 2,231 recovered, and 370 died. DMS