DAVAO CITY — Some 226 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Dubai and Abu Dhabi landed in Davao City International Airport on Friday, September 25 via a chartered flight of the Philippine Airlines.
Regional officials and staff from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) led by Regional Director Camilo T. Elaya said they have prepared all the facilities for the repatriated workers “We prepared all their needs before their arrival and everything is ready.”
OWWA shouldered the cost of the chartered flight while the repatriation was processed in coordination with the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.
Elaya said the rest of the OFWs were those whose flights were canceled or who overstayed.
Most of the passengers were s household service worker, whjie some are skilled workers and there are those who sought shelter at the POLO Dubai after chancing upon an OWWA personnel at the airport.
The repatriated OFWs will undergo quarantine in Davao City and will be transported to their hometowns once they test negative for Covid-19.
OWWA will also spend for hotel accommodation and food while the OFWs await their test results.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed the conduct of special commercial flights to bring home OFWs who were stranded in the Middle East and other countries covered by the inbound travel ban.
A Special Working Group was created to determine the implementing protocols for the special commercial flights, in coordination with airlines.
Among the members of the Special Working Group are OWWA, Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Transportation and its One-Stop-Shop, Philippine Coast Guard, and Department of Tourism.
Elaya also encouraged all the repatriates to avail of the programs of OWWA and other agencies so they can start their business or acquire skills training.
