122K OFWs transported home by gov't

More than 122,000 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been transported to their respective provinces by the government.

OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac reported that the agency provided for the food, transport, and accommodation of these returning OFWs.

Less than two percent of the repatriated OFWs tested positive for coronavirus.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has almost exhausted its P2.5-billion Abot Kaya ang Pagtulong (AKAP) assistance fund, disbursing P2.324 billion to 226,714 land-based and sea-based OFWs as of August 2.

The AKAP program provides a one-time cash aid of P10,000 for affected OFWs.

OFWs are permitted to return to work abroad, depending on the job market and host country travel restrictions.

At least nine OWWA frontline personnel have contracted COVID-19 since April.