Thousands of Filipino overseas workers will be brought home, says Duterte

The Philippine government aims to continue bringing home thousands of Filipinos working abroad who have been affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, said President Rodrigo Duterte.

"The Philippine Government has embarked on an unprecedented repatriation program. More than 345,000 overseas Filipino workers needed to come home then. We have brought back half and are bringing back the rest," said Duterte in his first speech before the United Nations General Assembly early Wednesday morning (PHL time).

He proceeded to laud the efforts and integrity of Filipino migrant workers amid the pandemic.

"Mr. President: Filipino migrant workers have been devastated by the pandemic. Many have lost not only their livelihood, but also their health and lives as well. Yet they go on in the frontlines, healing, caring for others in the different parts of the world," said Duterte.

The President also acknowledged the assistance extended by host countries in support of the repatriation program.

"We thank the countries that have provided Filipino migrants with residence permits, access to testing, treatment and related health services in this pandemic," said Duterte, adding that seafarers who were stranded because of COVID-19 restrictions also made it back to their home provinces.

"We pioneered with the IMO (International Maritime Organization) the Green Lane for safe changes of seafaring crews," he said.

"In these times, we need stronger cooperation in promoting and protecting the rights of migrants, regardless of their migrant status. We must all adhere to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Unless states include all migrants in their response to this pandemic, “no one among us is safe, until everyone is safe”, as the Secretary-General has said," he added. -- BAP/KBK, GMA News