DFA repatriates over 12K OFWs amid pandemic

As of Sunday, April 12, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has repatriated 12,144 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) since February due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Easter Sunday alone, 33 OFWs returned from Indonesia, bringing the total number of seafarers and land-based OFWs repatriated to 9,136 and 3,008 respectively.

Over 4,700 seafarers were repatriated in the week leading up to April 12, with notable flights including a repatriation from the UAE on Saturday, April 11, where 208 Filipino seafarers arrived back home.

On Good Friday, more than 1,000 seafarers returned in six batches from various countries such as the US and UK, all of whom underwent medical protocols and quarantine measures upon arrival.