Over 500k OFWs repatriated amid COVID-19 pandemic — Bello

More than half a million overseas Filipino workers have been repatriated so far amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

In a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte and several Cabinet officials, Bello said a total of 519,566 OFWs have been repatriated to their home towns.

A total of 49,742 more are awaiting for repatriation, while 78,519 opted to stay on-site.

Further, Bello said DOLE was able to provide financial assistance to 9,667 OFWs amounting to P96,670,000.

Meanwhile, 125,112 OFWs were able to receive food and medical assistance.

So far, DOLE’s Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program has extended over P5 billion to over 500,000 OFWs.

AKAP is a one-time cash assistance of $200 or P10,000 for each qualified affected/displaced OFW. -- BAP, GMA News