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5,000 OFWs stranded in Luzon await mercy flights

Around 4,000 to 5,000 OFWs are stranded in Luzon and the number is expected to rise as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continues its repatriation efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) implemented by the government which will remain in place until end of April, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Tuesday said it is organizing “mercy flights and voyages” for the stranded OFWs.
Most of these OFWs are repatriated seafarers who have finished their 14-day quarantine and those who were unable to fly out of the country due to the travel restrictions imposed by their destination countries, according to OWWA administrator Hans J. Cacdac.
Cacdad assured the families of stranded OFWs that the government is exhausting all possible help. As of April 2, OWWA said they had provided transport, food and accommodation aid to some 3,000 OFWs, reported Business World.
They may also receive Php10,000 cash assitance as part of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) social amelioration fund for OFWs and those in the formal sector.
DOLE is seeking another Php5 billion fund to cushion the impact of the pandemic on the workforce.

Staff Report

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