More than 400,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were repatriated as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the numbers have reached 416,000 to date.
In an interview with CNN Philippines, Bello added that there are still 100,000 others initially applying for repatriation.
However, there are some who have backed out after they’ve been vaccinated in their respective countries.
This would now bring down the number of OFWs waiting to return to Manila to 50,000.
Bello mentioned most of those who opted to stay are OFWs from the Middle East who said they will instead look for reemployment opportunities.
He added that those who have been vaccinated have higher chances of reemployment there. (ES)
