289,000 OFWs repatriated; 100,000 more expected by December –DOLE

The government had repatriated about 289,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with 100,000 more expected to return by December, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Saturday.

"Nakapag-uwi na tayo ng mga 289,000 OFWs," Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said at a Super Radyo DZBB interview.

Aside from the P5-billion aid allotted for them by the government, P3 billion was also provided to OFWs through the Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands more OFWs are expected to be repatriated.

"Hanggang ngayong Disyembre siguro aabot pa ng 100,000," Bello said. — DVM, GMA News