Labor Sec apologizes for OFW remains repatriation delay

Updated Sat, July 11, 2020 at 1:17 AM Published Wed, July 8, 2020 at 4:50 PM

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III apologized for the delay in repatriating the remains of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Saudi Arabia.

A total of 49 OFW remains arrived on Friday morning via a Philippine Airlines charter flight, with 14 of them having died of COVID-19 and the rest of other causes.

Cabinet officials, including Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., paid their last respects to the repatriated remains at Villamor Airbase.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will repatriate another batch of 44 remains on Sunday, with more to follow from Jeddah and other regions.

The remains of those who died of COVID-19 will be immediately cremated, while relatives of those who died of natural causes can choose between burial or cremation.

Families of the repatriated OFWs will receive bereavement benefits and insurance.

Saudi Arabia has extended its July 4 deadline for repatriating the OFW remains.

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Overseas Filipino Workers DOLE Philippine Airlines Saudi Arabia Teodoro Locsin Jr Salvador Medialdea

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