80k OFWs expected to return to Philippines next year —OWWA

Around 80,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to return to the country within the first half of 2021, a government official said Thursday.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Hans Leo Cacdac disclosed the figure during the Laging Handa briefing as the government had already brought home some 370,000 OFWs since the repatriation efforts started early this year.

Cacdac also said 420,000 OFWs have so far benefited from the one-time P10,000 or $200 cash aid from the government.

“Patuloy lang po ang ating pagpi-payout sa ngayon and hopefully by year’s end ay magkakaroon ng ganap na payout doon sa mga beneficiaries natin, pati doon sa mga padating pa,” he said.

The distribution of cash assistance was mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. —Virgil Lopez/KBK, GMA News