Close to 100K OFWs remain stranded abroad

Close to 100,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remain stranded abroad due to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.

The majority of these stranded OFWs are located in the Middle East, with smaller numbers in Europe, America, and Asia.

Despite President Duterte's directive to bring home 24,000 OFWs within a week, delays and inefficiencies have led to some OFWs testing negative but still remaining in quarantine.

As of May 30, over 22,000 stranded OFWs have been sent back to their provinces using government resources like buses, ships, and flights.

Local governments in Central Visayas are preparing for the arrival of returning OFWs, with plans to coordinate with OWWA and DOLE for manpower support.