Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte warns the House of Congress that 48,000 Filipino migrant workers are currently awaiting repatriation and 100,000 more may need rescuing in the coming months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Duterte also said cruise lines companies have communicated that 29,963 more seafarers are expected to be sent home, in his weekly report to Congress on the use of his emergency powers to address the health crisis.
“Barring any complications, this would bring the total number of repatriates to 93,675,” Mr. Duterte said in his report.
“However, due to the continuing impact of the pandemic, the number of repatriated Filipinos could reach 100,000 or even higher in the coming months,” he added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs meanwhile has indicated that another 17,830 land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have signified their intent to be repatriated.
Earlier, the Office of the President reported more than 50,000 Filipino migrants from various countries have been sent home to their respective home provinces since mid-May following their repatriation to the country.
The country’s Department of Labor and Employment had revealed that nearly 100,000 Filipinos are stranded in various parts of the world due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Source: INQUIRER.net)