NTF: Over 250k OFWs have returned home amid COVID-19 pandemic

More than 250,000 overseas Filipino workers have already returned to the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the spokesman of the National Task Force against COVID-19 on Wednesday.

"Ang atin pong ROFs (returning overseas Filipinos) na nagsibalik ay nasa bilang na po ng 254,388 as of before midnight last night," retired major general Restituto Padilla said at a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

Padilla noted that the data is from May to October 13.

Last month, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the number of OFWs affected with the health crisis was more or less 500,000.

The number could even reach up to 700,000 if the government fails to address the pandemic, according to the Labor Department.

DOLE  Assistant Secretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay said information technology and business process outsourcing sectors continue to provide employment opportunities for residents and returning OFWs.  —LBG, GMA News